Ashley’s welcome any time, says Rafa

RAFA BENITEZ has told Mike Ashley that he knows where to find him and will not formally invite the Newcastle owner to watch training. It was suggested to the Magpies boss by managing director Lee Charnley recently that it would be a good idea to invite Ashley to the club’s training base in an effort to repair their relationship, as revealed by Sportsmail yesterday. Benitez, though, does not feel the owner of the club should need an invitation and says he is always welcome. ‘Mike Ashley is the owner and he is welcome here,’ he said. ‘Are you married? Yes. You have a house? Yes. So do you have to be invited into your own house? ‘You are the owner, so you can do what you want. We train every week, we’re always here.’ Benitez also said the trainingground bust-up between captain Jamaal Lascelles and winger Matt Ritchie — before last Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea — can be a ‘positive’ for his team. Lascelles was dropped, with the manager pulling the duo apart. And Benitez, who was criticised for his defensive approach after the defeat, is set to employ the same tactics against Manchester City today. Benitez said: ‘Every year you have two or three situations in the dressing room when something happens between players. Why? Because they want to win. You want competitive professionals — I think it’s very positive.’ City, meanwhile, are set to use a three-man defence to negate Benitez’s side parking the bus. Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus could partner each other up front, which may see Leroy Sane miss out once again. Manchester City v Newcastle UnitedLIVE on BT Sport 1 from 5.0pm today, KO 5.30pm.