Benitez: We can only focus on ourselves

Rafael Benitez has told Newcastle United to ignore the Premier League table as they prepare for tonight’s tough trip to in-form Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Newcastle are above the relegation zone on goal difference only after back-to-back league victories over Cardiff City and Manchester City, followed by last weekend’s narrow loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

Asked about the difficulties of playing on a Monday evening, Benitez said: “When you have this situation for a while and you know it will be like that, you have to wait.

“You cannot change anything. The only thing you can do is be sure you prepare for your game properly, and that’s it.

“Your players can’t affect what happens on the other pitches, so you just have to stay concentrated on your game.

“Sometimes it’s positive, sometimes it’s negative, and because you can’t change anything, it’s better that you don’t focus on that.

“You have to say, ‘OK, what do I have to do? Perform with my team,’ and that’s it.”

Newcastle are certain to be backed by a large and vociferous support despite the game being moved for television coverage.

The club’s travelling fans have grown increasingly frustrated at the allocation of Monday-night games, with Newcastle not having had one in the Premier League at St James’ Park since December 2012.

Their mood had not been improved by a run of 10 successive defeats on the road until Benitez’s side won 2-1 at Burnley on Nov 26.

The away supporters could receive a boost this time around, with record signing Miguel Almiron in line to make his debut at Wolves.

Benitez was coy when asked about his team selection, with Paul Dummett, Mohamed Diame, Ki Sung-yueng and Joselu all available after injury as well as Yoshinori Muto following his return from the Asian Cup, but Almiron is likely to make the match-day 18.