Rafa gives his verdict on the Mitro debate

RAFA Benitez has had his say on the Aleksandar Mitrovic debate.

The Serbian striker said he was close to quitting Newcastle United after growing tired of waiting for his chance this season.

However, he was suspended for three games in the Premier League after being retrospectively banned for a clash with Manuel Lanzini when the West Ham player was elbowed during the 3-0 loss for the Hammers.

During Newcastle’s struggles in recent weeks, there have been calls for Mitrovic (below) to come in from the cold.

Benitez said: “When you have your top scorer Dwight Gayle coming back, you have to work harder to be better and keep working hard and try to be ready.

“If they don’t have a chance, it is maybe because others are doing well. We have a lot of players in different positions who could feel the same.

“If they do well they can play. I understand the debate.”

Benitez also knows player agents are now starting to influence their clients as the January window edges ever closer.

He added: “Every player in the squad now is in my plans because we don’t have too big a squad. “This is a time agents are a little more agitated and they are working.

“In the case of Mitro, we know he is looking at the World

Cup.”