Newcastle United will look to bounce back from their frustrating defeat at Blackburn on Monday by knocking Birmingham out of the FA Cup on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Rafa Benitez’s side dominated for large periods at Ewood Park, but suffered a sucker punch 16 minutes from time when Charlie Mulgrew’s free-kick beat Karl Darlow.

The result, a second defeat in three league games and a fourth in eight, saw them lose out on top spot in the Championship to Brighton, who beat Fulham on the same day to reach the summit.

Nonetheless, the Magpies can turn their attentions away from the league this weekend when they travel to St Andrew’s in the third round of the FA Cup.

Gianfranco Zola’s Blues have yet to win a game since the Italian replaced Gary Rowett on December 14, a run which has seen them slip to 13th in the table and seven points off the play-offs.

However, the hosts will certainly be up for the cup in a bid to end their bad form, so Newcastle will need to be at their best to book their place in the last 32.

Given both sides played twice in the space of a few days earlier this week, both are likely to make changes to their starting elevens, so here are THREE Newcastle players who deserve a chance on Saturday…

DeAndre Yedlin

With Benitez expected to shuffle his pack against Birmingham in a bid to keep his squad fresh for the second half of the Championship season, right-back DeAndre Yedlin could return to the team.

The American international has had to make-do with a place on the bench in recent weeks, and didn’t feature for the club in their latest match away at Blackburn Rovers on Monday.

Nevertheless, Vurnon Anita has been deputising at right-back in his absence and, although he has done well, it isn’t his natural position, and Yedlin could come in and make his 12th start of the season at St Andrew’s.

Ayoze Perez

Birmingham have been struggling since Gianfranco Zola replaced Gary Rowett last month, so Benitez will hope his side get at them straight from the first whistle and unsettle the crowd.

Thus, he could recall Ayoze Perez to the starting eleven after resting him in the defeat at Blackburn on Monday.

The Spaniard, who moved to St James’ Park all the way back in 2014, has scored six goals and laid on two assists in 22 appearances for the Magpies this season, although his recent displays haven’t been much to shout about.

Nonetheless, his tenacity and attacking threat could be exactly what Newcastle need to get back to winning ways, and thus knock Birmingham out of the FA Cup.

Daryl Murphy

Daryl Murphy has made just one start for Newcastle since moving to St James’ Park in the summer, but he may get a chance to double that tally tomorrow at St Andrew’s.

The Republic of Ireland international has spent just three minutes on the pitch for the Magpies in the Championship, and that was in their defeat at Blackburn on Monday, while his only start came in their disappointing defeat to Hull in the League Cup back in November.

The striker has been getting closer to a start, but Dwight Gayle’s sensational goal-scoring form has somewhat put pay to that, yet if Benitez is willing to rotate his side on Saturday, it could see Murphy make just his second start of the campaign at St Andrew’s.