As expected former Town boss Sir Bobby Robson has named all three ex-Blues in his Newcastle squad for tonight's Dale Roberts testimonial. Also included are former England captain Alan Shearer and ex-Canary Craig Bellamy.
Another former Town manager, George Burley, will be at the game, having headed the committee organising events for his former assistant and great friend's testimonial.
Burley misses Derby's pre-season match at Macclesfield Town to attend the game.
Town manager Joe Royle says he will employ the 4-3-3 formation used to great effect against Oxford and Crystal Palace: "It suits us at the moment with the players we have available. I'm not saying we will use it all season but we have looked better with having Kevin Horlock in the holding midfield role.
"It gets Darren away from the physical side at the moment and gives Dean a chance to get involved."
Bent and Bowditch play in wide, often withdrawn roles with Pablo Couñago or Shefki Kuqi down the middle.
Town: Davis, Price, Wilnis, Mitchell, Richards, Barron, De Vos, Naylor, Diallo, Magilton, Miller, Westlake, Horlock, Murray, Bent, Bowditch, Couñago, Kuqi.
Newcastle: Ameobi, Ambrose, Bellamy, Bernard, Bowyer, Bramble, Brittain, Chopra, Dyer, Elliott, Given, Harper, Hughes, Milner, McClen, O'Brien, Robert, Shearer.