Rafa: Get your Ay in for Spain

RAFA BENITEZ has told Ayoze Perez he can realise his dream of playing for Spain – if he becomes a 20-goal-aseason hitman with Newcastle.

The Spanish forward scored the Magpies’ equaliser and made the winner for Matt Ritchie in the 2-1 home win over Arsenal a week ago.

And he has netted in each of the last three games.

That has taken his tally to seven this season and boss Benitez (above, with Perez) admits clubs in Spain are enquiring about the 24-year-old.

Perez, signed by Alan Pardew from Tenerife nearly four years ago for £1.8million, won only two caps for Spain at Under-21 level, but he is still hoping to break into the senior ranks.

And Benitez said: “I don’t know whether it will be now, because Spain have a very good team, but he has the potential to play for them if he keeps learning because he has quality.

“He can make mistakes – he can give the ball away sometimes and the fans say, ‘He’s lightweight’. But, at the same time, he’s doing a great job and has the potential and vision that maybe other players don’t have.

“We know he has talent and quality, but he has to be more consistent. If he was more consistent, maybe he would be scoring 20 goals a season and he wouldn’t be here.”

Meanwhile, Benitez is targeting a further loan deal for Chelsea winger Kenedy, 22, next season.

Benitez said: “If you’re asking me, I’d say yes (to another loan), but you would have to ask Chelsea.”