When it comes to Ritchie, Strachan’s loss is almost certainly the Toon’s gain

UNITED WILL BENEFIT FROM MATT BEING RESTED BY SCOTS

Chief sports writer UNDER-PRESSURE Gordon Strachan has done Newcastle United a massive favour over the international fortnight.

By opting to leave Newcastle’s action man Matt Ritchie on the sidelines, it means the Scotland midfielder should be fresh and ready for two massive games against Wigan Athletic and Burton Albion.

While that might not mean a lot to fans of the Tartan Army, in the next week or so it could mean everything to Newcastle United supporters as they hope to see their team close in on promotion to the Premier League.

Newcastle fans have chanted Ritchie’s name all season, the “magic hat” song a real favourite for the United faithful.

The midfielder was thankfully left out of Scotland’s meaningless friendly with Canada, Strachan’s side only managing a 1-1 draw against the Canucks at Easter Road.

Strachan then went with the likes of Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong and Scott Brown in the middle for the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia, while Robert Snodgrass of West Ham and James Morrison of West Brom filled up the engine room.

Even when Strachan’s team was struggling to see off the Slovenes at Hampden Park, Ritchie was overlooked as a substitute and, despite the fact Scotland won 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Chris Martin, it is baffling the former AFC Bournemouth star was left out.

Ritchie has weighed in with 13 goals and nine assists this season and is one of the most in-form players in the UK.

He has proved to be an absolute bargain for Newcastle at £12m since arriving from the south coast.

When Rafa Benitez picked him out and told his board he wanted Ritchie in his squad it was an early sign of the Spaniard’s fantastic judgement in the transfer market.

For a few seasons now Newcastle have craved a midfielder who can Matt Ritchie celebrates his goal at Huddersfield this month – the former AFC Bournemouth star has weighed in with 13 strikes so far this season score goals and create them, with Ritchie fitting the bill.

He bagged four goals and six assists for Bournemouth last term in the Premier League too, meaning he will not be daunted by the challenges likely to lie ahead next season.

Benitez is a big fan of Ritchie and he will be one of the first names on the teamsheet against Wigan. Earlier in the season, Benitez said: “We knew we were signing a good player, but at the same time the way he has approached every game gives the others confidence.

“It is contagious and he gives so much in his game the others have to follow him.

“That is always positive for the team.”

Ritchie has brought plenty of balance on the pitch for Newcastle so far this season and has been focused and professional throughout.

A good example of that was the night United hammered Preston North End 6-0 and Ritchie, not one to be swept away by the atmosphere, still stuck to his guns and took the penalty which set United on their way to victory.

Under pressure from Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ritchie made it clear he was the designated taker and told the Serbian to back off.

His successful conversion put Newcastle in charge and killed the game in the League Cup before Mitrovic was able to grab a second of the night shortly afterwards.

He has been an honest player too, and not one who has given interviews too often with the media – yet when he has spoken people have stood up and paid attention.

He confessed to being disap-