Championship leaders Newcastle United host Birmingham City in an FA Cup third round replay at St James’ Park on Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off).

Rafa Benitez’s side returned to the summit of the second tier with a 2-1 victory at Brentford on Saturday and, coupled with Brighton’s surprise 2-0 defeat at Preston, it means that the Magpies have a one-point lead at the top.

However, they turn their attentions away from league matters tomorrow night when they entertain Gianfranco Zola’s Birmingham in a third round replay, having drawn 1-1 at St Andrew’s back on January 7.

Since then, Zola has extended his winless run since taking over from Gary Rowett back in December to six matches following a 0-0 draw with lowly Nottingham Forest on Saturday, a result which has seen the Blues fall nine points adrift of the play-offs.

Nonetheless, both teams will be hoping that they can make it through to the last 32 of the world’s oldest club competition, with League One outfit Oxford United waiting in the wings.

Having suffered from a few injuries at the weekend, Benitez may have to make some changes to his starting eleven, so here are THREE Newcastle players who deserve a chance on Wednesday…

Grant Hanley

Grant Hanley has found it difficult to dislodge Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark from the centre of Newcastle’s defence this season, but did get the nod against Birmingham in the first meeting.

Thus, the Scottish international should get the opportunity to again prove his worth to Benitez, especially given that he has started just once in the Championship so far this season.

The former Blackburn centre-back is a good defender at this level, and he did well alongside Lascelles in the draw against Gianfranco Zola’s men a few weeks ago.

Benitez is no stranger to rotating his squad, so it’s likely that Hanley will get the nod at St James’ Park on Wednesday.

Jonjo Shelvey

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey served the last of his five-game ban for using racially abusive language in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Brentford at the weekend, and could come straight back into the side against Zola’s Birmingham.

The 24-year-old, who has played six times for England, including five in 2015, has been a key cog in the Magpies’ midfield this season, starting 20 of their Championship matches, and scoring three goals and laying on six assists in that time.

Shelvey will be fit and fresh to take to the field at St James’ Park, and he’d certainly give Benitez’s men more creativity and a greater spark in the middle.

Newcastle want to get through to the next round, where Oxford United await, so don’t be too surprised if Shelvey makes an immediate return to the starting line-up.

Daryl Murphy

Newcastle have a few injury concerns in the attacking department, not least Dwight Gayle, who went off with a muscle problem in the win over Brentford on Saturday.

Thus, former Ipswich striker Daryl Murphy looks set to lead the line at St James’ Park on Wednesday, and rightly so given that he has scored twice in his last two starts for the Magpies.

The 33-year-old struggled with his fitness at the start of the campaign, and made just one appearance for Benitez’s men in 2016 following his summer arrival from Ipswich.

However, Murphy netted in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham a few weeks ago and also got the winner against Brentford at the weekend, so he’s in good form and, if he’s fit, should start again for Newcastle on Wednesday.