‘Let the players be
ALEKSANDAR Mitrovic has proved his “desire to impress” Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez in training this week.
The Serbian international has not kicked a ball for the Magpies since August on the day he ended up picking up a three-game ban for a clash with Manuel Lanzini during a 3-0 win over West Ham.
Mitrovic scored that day but the former Anderlecht striker has been made to wait for his chance since returning from suspension.
With Serbia’s place at the World Cup now secure, Mitrovic is keen to make sure he is on the plane for Russia - and knows only good form with United will ensure that.
Dwight Gayle has been ruled out of today’s game with Crystal Palace due to a calf injury, but Benitez has indicated this could be the Serb’s big chance to shine.
Benitez told the Chronicle: “Yeah, he will be in the squad.
“We have to decide how we will play. He is OK. He has the desire to impress and do well.”
Gayle suffered a fresh calf injury last weekend during the 2-2 draw with Southampton.
Benitez added “It is not serious but he will miss this weekend’s game with Crystal Palace.” Chief Sports Writer RAFA Benitez is keen to see his Newcastle United players make headlines on the back pages of Sunday’s papers this weekend. Takeover talk is dominating the Tyneside streets and is high on the agenda of the football-mad public around the pubs and clubs in the area at the moment. With Amanda Staveley’s PCP Partners group currently assessing the club’s financial books before making their next move, it’s a case of so far, so good in the discussions with Mike Ashley and his board. Understandably, after a week of front-page headlines surrounding Staveley’s interest in the Magpies, Benitez faced a series of questions at his weekly pre-game press conference. But the Spaniard said he was looking forward to getting back to football and trying to get three Premier League points from Crystal Palace. He said: “It’s important for us. With all the news around at the moment, we must be concentrating on football. “It is the same message every time for us but it’s true. We know that we are doing well but we are close to the top of the table and we are also close to the bottom. “So we have to continue being consistent and doing things in the way we are doing now.”
Newcastle can get closer to the top six with a win against Roy Hodgson’s Eagles but Benitez refused to build up the fixture any more than usual.
He went on: “Any game is important for us but maybe because of our position now we can say: ‘This game is very important.’
“But I am sure that Burnley and Bournemouth will be as important as this one.”
Newcastle fans were in fine form in the last home game against Liverpool when the Gallowgate End flags display was beamed out to a global audience.
There’s even talk on social media of chants of support towards Staveley’s bid for the club this weekend.
When asked about the fans, Benitez said: “The fans are amazing at home and away.
“We have played three games already this season that are very far away, but the fans were there.
“At home, they are always behind the team. That’s what we are expecting again and we’re really pleased with that.”
Newcastle are expected to take three points from Palace in the eyes of bookmakers this weekend but Benitez knows his side must be patient against a Selhurst Park side that beat Chelsea last weekend.
The former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss said: “I am sure we will be working very hard from the