Rafa return is a Toon bonus
RAFA Benitez believes Newcastle are a united club again with a platform to establish themselves in the Premier League.
Benitez oversaw training yesterday for the first time in a fortnight, having recovered from the hernia operation that forced him to miss Sunday’s match at Swansea.
The Magpies boss is relieved the long dispute over player bonuses has been resolved, with the club announcing yesterday agreement had been reached following a meeting between managing director Lee Charnley and captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Of more significance to fans, there is little prospect of Benitez leaving in the short term, despite tensions remaining between himself and owner Mike Ashley over the club’s direction.
Benitez is willing to draw a line under their disagreements, at least until the transfer window reopens, and is unlikely to resurrect the thorny issue of a disappointing summer recruiting programme any time soon. ●SWANSEA boss Paul Clement is ready to go back in for Barnsley defender Andy Yiadom in January after they failed to get the paperwork to the FA in time last month. (3-4-2-1) BERISHA; TOLOI, CALDARA, MASIELLO; HATEBOER, DE ROON, FREULER, CASTAGNE; KURTIC, PETAGNA; GOMEZ. (4-2-3-1) PICKFORD; HOLGATE, KEANE, WILLIAMS, BAINES; SCHNEIDERLIN, GUEYE; KLAASSEN, ROONEY, SIGURDSSON; CALVERT-LEWIN. REF: V Bezborodov (Rus). TV: BT Sport 2. KICK-OFF: 6pm.