Newcastle v QPR: Sky Bet Championship clash live on Sky Sports

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez will rotate his squad once again for the Sky Bet Championship visit of QPR - live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm on Wednesday - after making nine changes for Saturday's 3-0 FA Cup defeat at Oxford United.

Only Ayoze Perez and Isaac Hayden retained their places from the 4-0 victory against Rotherham in their last Sky Bet Championship match, with the likes of midfielders Matt Ritchie and Jonjo Shelvey and defenders Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles to return to the starting line-up.

Aleksandar Mitrovic could retain his place after making his first appearance in three weeks with a gashed knee but is facing competition from Daryl Murphy to lead the line for the Magpies but Ivory Coast international Cheikh Tiote will not be involved after he agreed a move to China.

Top goalscorer Dwight Gayle is unlikely to be risked as he recovers from a hamstring injury while full-back Vurnon Anita (ankle) and midfielder Rolando Aarons (knee) remain on sidelines for the long-term.

Newcastle are second in the table, two points behind leaders Brighton.

QPR boss Ian Holloway could hand out two debuts as his side seek a third successive away victory at St James' Park.

Midfielder Sean Goss and winger Luke Freeman could make their first starts for the club after joining in the last few days from Manchester United and Bristol City respectively.

Striker Matt Smith is ineligible to feature so will have to wait until the trip to Blackburn on Saturday to make his debut, while Conor Washington is pushing for a starting place after scoring in the 2-1 home defeat by Burton on Saturday.

Jack Robinson (hamstring) is still not match-fit while centre-back Steven Caulker will not be available, with Lokomotiv Moscow looking to sign him on loan for the rest of the season.

QPR go into the match in 19th spot, eight points above the drop zone having played a game more than 22nd-placed Wigan.

Prutton's prediction

Even though there were changes, every time a team loses in the manner Newcastle did at Oxford in the FA Cup, it will still have an impact. It reflects on the club.

The next team they put out must right that wrong, that performance and that result. I think it's going to be tough for Newcastle against QPR. We've seen a lot of Ollie's team, and the game against Burton, you'd have thought they would take three points.