SOFA... YET SO NEAR

RAFA BENITEZ will interrupt his recovery from surgery to direct Newcastle from his sofa today.

The Toon boss has insisted that he has some input into the Magpies as he continues his rehabilitation.

Benitez will have an open line to Antonio Gomes – one of the club’s backroom staff – at the Liberty Stadium as he takes in the live feed from television.

The Spaniard has been sidelined following surgery on a hernia that has given him sporadic problems during the past couple of years.

He went under the knife early this week but damage from an associated infection was far worse than originally thought. And it means that Benitez’s involvement in the game will be from his family home rather than at pitchside. Benitez will also have the final say on whether Jonjo Shelvey (left) returns to face his old club. The midfielder is available again after a three-match ban and fitness coach Paco Moreno said: “It will be Rafa’s decision, but he will also take into consideration our feelings — even more so because he hasn’t seen the players training.”