Newcastle United's league campaign currently couldn't be going much better, Rafa Benitez's men currently find themselves 3 points clear at the top of the Sky Bet Championship after picking up 10 wins from the opening 14 league games.

They are firmly on course for an immediate return to the top flight after they slumped to a disappointing relegation last season.

Although, their next upcoming fixture takes their attention away from the league as they face off with Preston North End at St James Park in the EFL cup.

This article suggest a line up in the formation 4-2-3-1 that would see Newcastle beat Preston comfortably on Tuesday night...

 

GK - Karl Darlow

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Continuity is key in building up a player's confidence, therefore Karl Darlow who has recently claimed the number one jersey after some underwhelming performances by Matz Sels, should keep his place inbetween the sticks.

The 26-year-old is experienced in the 2nd tier of English football as he made over 100 appearances for Nottingham Forest at this level.

LB - Paul Dummett

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Local lad Paul Dummett looks likely continue in his role at left back for this upcoming fixture against Preston North End.

The 25- year-old has been at St James' Park all his career, barring two brief loan spells with Gateshead and Scottish side St Mirren.

Dummett has made close to 100 appearances for his boyhood club and has adheered himself to the fans with his passion and work rate.

He has been capped by the Welsh national team twice.

CB - Ciaran Clark

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Eyebrows were raised when Newcastle swooped in to secure the signing of former Aston Villa man Ciaran Clark in the summer but, since arriving at the club he has been nothing short of magnificent.

Clark has turned in some excellent defensive displays to help the club push up the league, scoring twice along the way.

Clark spent seven years with the Villans before making the switch to St James' Park, he made over 150 appearances for the club throughout that time.

 

CB - Jamaal Lascelles

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Another eyebrow raising decision this summer was the decision to award 22- year-old centre back Jamaal Lascelles the captaincy of the club, however the young man has thrived under the added pressures of being captain and his displayed composure and leadership way beyond his years.

Lascelles is someone who is seen to have the potential to reach the very top of the game, he has all the physical attributes needed and with the right guidance on and off the pitch he can definitely be seen as a star of the future.

RB-  Vurnon Anita

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One change I would make in the backline from the defence that started the 3-0 win against Ipswich Town at the weekend would be to bring in Vurnon Anita for DeAndre Yedlin at right back, to give the Dutchman a chance to stake his claim for a regular starting position.

Anita is a huge fan favourite at St James' Park due to his versatility, work ethic and passion for the club.

He is a highly experienced footballer who has even been capped 3 times by the Netherlands national team.

CM - Isaac Hayden

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Young midfielder Isaac Hayden would be brought in from the start for this game, to give the 21-year-old a chance to impress and stake a claim for a regular starting berth in the centre of Newcastle's midfield.

Hayden was a summer signing from Arsenal, and at just 21 years of age he is seen as one for the future, hence why he penned a five year deal with the club.

Hayden's potential has been recognised by England at international level for whom he has been capped at under 16, 17 , 18, 19, 20 and 21 level.

Hayden previously spent time on loan at Hull City last season, where he made 24 appearances, scoring once in the process.

CM - Jonjo Shelvey

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Jonjo Shelvey would retain his place in the centre of midfield to provide the balance of inexperience and experience in the Newcastle engine room.

Despite being only 24 himself, Shelvey is a full England international who has plied his trade in the top flight for the past seven years, he is a commanding figure in midfield and is someone who looks to boss the midfield battle with his physicality and quality in possession.

Shelvey has previously represented the likes of Liverpool, Swansea City, Blackpool and Charlton Athletic.

LW - Christian Atsu

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Atsu has struggled to hold down a starting place in this Newcastle United team, due to the competition for places, but would be given the chance to impress from the start in this one in my preferred Newcastle United XI.

Atsu has previously represented the likes of Porto, Vitesse, Everton and Malaga and is clearly a player of immense quality.

At the age of just 24, the wideman has already racked up a remarkable 42 caps for the Ghana national team, scoring 9 goals in the process.

CAM - Mohamed Diame

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Mohamed Diame has struggled to replicate the same sort of form he displayed last season with Hull City so far this season, and has failed to open his Newcastle United account so far in any of the 11 games he has featured in.

Although, on his day Diame is a player of immense quality and should be persevered with to try and get the best out of the 29 year old.

Last season Diame featured 45 times for Hull City, scoring 10 goals in the process, including the all important promotion clinching goal at Wembley against Sheffield Wednesday.

RW - Yoan Gouffran

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Yoan Gouffran would be given a starting role on the right wing in my Newcastle United preferred XI for the upcoming EFL Cup game against Preston North End.

Gouffran has been at St James' Park since 2013 and since arriving at the club he has gone onto make over 100 appearances, scoring close to 15 goals in the process.

The 30-year-old is a former France under 21 international and previously represented the likes of Caen and Bordeaux back in France before moving to England.

ST - Aleksander Mitrovic

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Cup games give managers a chance to rest players and allow other players to stake a claim for a starting spot, and one decision manager Rafa Benitez is likely to undertake for this upcoming game against Preston is to rest top scorer Dwight Gayle.

This would pave the way for Aleksander Mitrovic to get a chance from the start to impress.

The Serbian international has been used mainly as a substitute so far this year and will be chomping at the bit to get out on the pitch and impress.