Benitez should give these 3 Newcastle players a chance against Birmingham

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.