Smith captains strong Newcastle side at Carlisle

ALAN Smith will captain a strong Newcastle line-up for the club's opening pre-season friendly at Carlisle United. Smith will play alongside Kevin Nolan at the heart of midfield, with Andy Carroll partnering Peter Lovenkrands up front. Magpies boss Chris Hughton has also named a strong back four, with Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson and Jose Enrique all featuring. Hughton is expected to make a host of changes at half-time, with Joey Barton, Wayne Routledge, Steven Taylor and new signing James Perch named amongst the substitutes. Carlisle will hand a trial to Sunderland defender Jean Yves M'Voto, who spent most of last season on loan at Southend. CARLISLE (4-4-2): Collin; Simek, M'Voto, Harte, Murphy; Berrett, Thirlwell, Bridge-Wilkinson, Taiwo; Curran, Madine. Subs: Caig (gk), Wood, Hurst, Price, Robson, Kane, Cregg, Gibson, Swinglehurst, Zoko. NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Harper; Tavernier, Coloccini, Williamson, Enrique; Inman, Smith, Nolan, LuaLua; Carroll, Lovenkrands. Subs: Krul (gk), Barton, Guthrie, Routledge, R Taylor, Best, S Taylor, Perch, Ranger, McLaughlin, Ferguson, Henderson, Vuckic.

Source: Northern_Echo