Rafa gets the chopper

TOON CHIEF OFFERS STRICKEN BOSS HELICOPTER RIDE TO GAME

RAFA BENITEZ is set to get the chopper from Mike Ashley.

The Newcastle boss is “committed” to the club and wants to take charge at Swansea despite being in pain following a hernia operation.

Benitez is still being advised against sitting in the dug-out, and will make a late call.

But Ashley has offered the use of his personal helicopter to whisk Benitez from his Wirral home to South Wales.

Benitez has done his usual pre-match preparation, including analysing video clips and setting tactics. He will communicate by telephone with his staff, if he fails a late fitness test. Newcastle No.2 Paco Moreno (left) stood in for Benitez yesterday and says the stricken boss is in “good spirits”. There has been uncertainty about Benitez’s future after a disappointing end to the transfer window. That has been heightened by his absence from the training ground this week. But Moreno said: “He wants to be here. We know his passion for his profession. But first is his health. “We said stay at home and get better. He is confident he can arrive at the game. We will see.

“He tried to come training on Thursday because you know his commitment to the club and everyone.

“He is always in good spirits talking about football, like he always does. He had the operation on Monday and is recovering.

“Our daily work did not change too much. Rafa is more focussed on the ideas and analysing situations.

“He is always saying pay attention on this and this and this.

“So we are continuing his ideas even when he is not here.”

DeAndre Yedlin is poised for a recall, and Florian Lejeune is back in the squad, a boost after Chancel Mbemba’s injury.

Moreno joked: “I do not want to be manager. I have no ambition to do this. Rafa can come back quickly!”