A CLOWN CALLED ALEKS
Benitez forgives crazy Serb
RAFA BENITEZ has forgiven striker Aleksandar Mitrovic for bearhugging him after Newcastle’s dramatic 4-3 midweek win over Norwich.
And he’s even laughed off the Serb’s manic celebrations which left hat-trick hero Dwight Gayle winded after he hurled his team-mate to the ground.
The Toon chief claims Mitrovic’s behaviour proves he’s happy with life at St James’ Park despite his lack of game time.
The former Anderlecht hitman has been a peripheral figure in the early weeks of the campaign with Gayle establishing himself as Benitez’s No. 1 striker.
But rather than sulking, he has proved himself the perfect squad man.
{Positive
“I saw the pictures with Gayle and with me,” said Benitez. “I was thinking, ‘How could he pick me up?’ But here, you have someone who isn’t playing regularly so to see such a positive reaction is really good.
“Now we have to help him use his energy in the right way.”
Mitrovic is again likely to be on the bench at Rotherham today with Gayle in such a rich vein of form.
Benitez is set to keep faith with Karl Darlow in goal after dropping under-fire Matz Sels against Norwich. Whatever happens this weekend, it is unlikely to top that win which saw Newcastle score in the 94th and 95th minutes.
“I will remember that game all my life,” added the Spaniard. “It was massive and made me very proud.”