Rafa happy for ‘fringe’ players to face Cherries
TRIO ON STANDBY AFTER WATFORD INJURIES
RAFA Benitez says he will have no qualms with starting the likes of Fabian Schar, Ki and Ayoze Perez this weekend – if some of his walking wounded don’t recover in time for the clash with AFC Bournemouth.
The Newcastle United boss was forced to bring on all three during the home win against Watford after a spate of injuries either side of half time to Jonjo Shelvey, Jamaal Lascelles and Yoshinori Muto.
All three have undergone treatment, but Shelvey is a doubt for the visit of the Cherries, while Lascelles is only in light training and Muto is rated as 50-50.
Speaking about his fringe players, with Ki setting up Perez for the winner against Watford, Benitez told The Chronicle: “They did well and I congratulated them.
“It is always important that the players who aren’t playing are the key in a season.
“If they continue working hard and doing their jobs during the week when you need them to perform it’s great. And they did really well.”
Of the trio who picked up knocks at the weekend, Lascelles appears to have the best chance of being fit in time, while Muto is believed to be making good progress.
Benitez, speaking at the Newcastle United Foundation dinner, said: “Jamaal was doing a light training session.
“The other two had treatment ahead of the weekend. We will see little by little how they progress.”
Looking towards the weekend, Benitez feels the mood in the squad is excellent after the victory against Watford.
He added: “Things are quite good now. Now it is a case of keeping people happy.”
Newcastle face a Bournemouth side who are sitting in sixth place in the Premier League.
However, they were beaten by a late choker against Manchester United at the weekend.
Benitez said: “It wasn’t a good time to play Watford.
“They had picked up their form and Bournemouth are also doing well.
“But we have had five top sides already and in this case they are doing really well and they have confidence.”
Perez moved up the club’s all-time Premier League goalscoring chart at the weekend and is now on 22 Premier League goals – level with Laurent Robert.
Benitez said: “I didn’t realise that but it is good news. What he has to do is score more goals and he will get higher and higher up the table.”