Table-topping Toon looking for revenge at Rovers
NEWCASTLE centre-back Ciaran Clark has urged his side to go on another revenge mission when they visit troubled Blackburn tomorrow.
Striker Dwight Gayle’s brace, which hoisted his seasonal goal haul to 19, secured a 3- 1 win over 10- man Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park on Friday – and ensured Newcastle went into 2017 as Championship leaders.
Victory assured that scenario after Brighton’s home game with Cardiff was postponed on the same night due to fog.
Newcastle lost 2-1 in a stormy reverse fixture with Forest a month ago when they had Jonjo Shelvey and Paul Dummett sent off – both red cards were later rescinded – and Clark was denied a legitimate goal.
Forest had Matt Mills dismissed in the latest encounter, but Clark said: “There was a lot of controversy in the game there and we felt that we owed them one.
“With the Brighton game being called off as well, we knew there was a chance to go back to the top.
“With all those things in the back of our minds, there was an extra boost for us to go out and do well. It was obviously a good result in the end and a good performance.’’
Owen Coyle’s Blackburn are one of four sides who have won on Tyneside
this season – Charlie Mulgrew’s was the only goal when they ended the Geordies’ club-record-equalling ninegame winning run in late November.
And Clark stressed: “They came up here and beat us recently, so it’s another game where we will have to concentrate and make sure we’re at our best.
“The gaps can close quickly. Brighton have won a few, we’ve made a few mistakes, and that has cost us.
“We need to keep working hard and keep getting the right results.’’
Regardless of losing the services of Senegal midfielder Mohamed Diame, Ghana winger Christian Atsu – who is on loan from Chelsea – and DR Congo centre- back Chancel Mbemba to the Africa Cup of Nations, Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez was always intent on strengthening his squad this month.
But he has bought himself a bit of time by receiving permission from the respective associations to keep the trio for the Blackburn game before their release for international duty.
On the transfer front, Brentford forward Scott Hogan, 24, is among Newcastle’s New Year targets, but Benitez can also expect advances for some of his own players.
Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, for instance, has been on Swansea’s radar in recent weeks and sources suggested “real interest’’ could lead to a £15million bid.
But that was before the Swans sacked Bob Bradley after only 85 days in charge and it now remains to be seen whether the Premier League strugglers retain their interest.
Even if they do, in the ideal world Toon want to hold on to Mitrovic – who has also attracted attention from Napoli – while they push for promotion, and Benitez insisted: “Everybody is talking about Mitrovic – but we do not want to sell anyone.’’
The Magpies signed the Serbian, 22, from Anderlecht for £13m in summer, 2015, but his fitness and disciplinary record have sown doubts about his future and the free- scoring form of Gayle has meant Mitrovic has been restricted to only six starts this season.