BENITEZ: IT’S BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR MY TEAM
NEWCASTLE BOSS DOES NOT WANT PLAYERS DISTRACTED FROM TASK AT EVERTON
Rafa Benitez says it is “business as usual” at Newcastle United after Mike Ashley’s Sky interview.
Speaking ahead of the Magpies’ Premier League trip to Everton, Benitez addressed the talk of takeovers and January transfer window.
“I was talking with Lee Charnley and the message is clear it is business as usual,” said Benitez.
“We have been in this situation in the past but have to carry on.
“We have a game to play. We have to concentrate on the game.
“When I could hear the interview, we talked with the players and prepared the training session. It is business as usual.”
The under-fire Newcastle owner told Sky’s Ian King Live takeover talks were “at a more progressed stage than they have ever been”.
He stressed they were not yet at an “exclusive” stage, the potential buyer was not named.
“I am hopeful – for the Newcastle fans, for the club, for everybody, that I will be able to step aside and we will be able to get an owner in that will please everybody,” said Ashley.
When asked whether a takeover was realistic by January, the Magpies’ owner said: “Realistic? Possible. Realistic is maybe too strong a word.
“Hopefully we can carry on the recent good form and we can get the deal done.”
When asked if he was in exclusive talks?
“Not exclusive but talks are at a more progressed stage than they have ever been.”
And Ashley was also asked if there would be transfer funds for Rafa Benitez from the potential new owner, Ashley added: “Yes, yes. I am very keen to sell it to the right buyer so then everybody is happy, that would be good news.”
On the January window, Benitez added: “Teams at the top are spending a lot of money, teams at the bottom are spending to try avoid relegation.
“We will continue working. I do not have any other answers.”
On the injury front, Benitez is set to be without Isaac Hayden this evening.
The midfielder has damaged an ankle and will sit out the clash at Goodison Park, as the Magpies look to get back to winning ways after a 3-0 home loss to West Ham on Saturday.
He joins Karl Darlow and Florian Lejeune on the sidelines as well as Paul Dummett, who Benitez also confirmed will just miss out on the trip to Merseyside.
“Dummett is not ready, Hayden not available, Darlow not ready,” said Benitez.
“Apart from that, we have more or less everybody training.”
When asked about how much of a whole Dummett leaves in his United side, the manager said: “We don’t have another specific left full back so we have to manage this game and hopefully the player in his position will play well.”
Newcastle United U23s survived a late goal to advance into the third round of the Checkatrade Trophy on penalties.
Elias Sorensen netted his 18th goal of the season in the opening half-hour in what looked to be a comfortable win for Ben Dawson’s side.
Unfortunately, a lapse in concentration allowed Scott
HWilson to equalise and send the game to penalties with five minutes remaining.
However, the Magpies recomposed themselves for spot-kicks as Mo Sangare dispatched the winning spotkick to inflict a defeat on Sol Campbell’s managerial bow.