RAFA’S PLEA TO FANS ON PEREZ

HUDDERSFIELD boss David Wagner has told Australia that Aaron Mooy has no chance of playing in the Asia Cup.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said he had not given up hope Mooy (inset) could recover from his medial ligament injury to play some part in the tournament in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Wagner is willing to let Australia seek a second opinion, but is adamant his playmaker will be out until February. “I understand and we’ll support them if they would like a second opinion,” he said. “But everything my medical department said is that he will be out for eight weeks. “If they want to bring some medical staff over to have a look at Aaron, they can.

“We have already given them our images from his scans and reports from the specialist. It’s anything but nice for all of us.” Abdelhamid Sabiri and Tommy Smith are also out long-term and Danny Williams became Huddersfield’s fourth major casualty when he damaged knee ligaments in training this week, to sideline him for ten weeks.

The Terriers boss will patch his side up to face Newcastle today at the John Smith’s Stadium and he is surprised Rafa Benitez’s team are struggling near the bottom with them. “They have a lot of quality, a lot of experience and finished 10th last season,” said the German. “But they are in our area at the minute and hopefully after Saturday we will be closer.”

RAFA BENITEZ wants Newcastle fans to lay off goal-shy forward Ayoze Perez.

His fellow Spaniard has come under fire this season for his lack of goals, having finished as the Toon’s top scorer last term.

He was sarcastically cheered off the pitch by a section of the St James’ Park crowd after missing several chances during last month’s home defeat by West Ham.

Perez responded by cupping his hands to his ears after scoring against Wolves last Sunday – only his second goal of the campaign.

And Benitez revealed the abuse has affected him.

“At that moment, he was not very happy,” said Benitez, whose side have picked up just one point out of the last nine.

“I think the fans when they talk about strikers, they remember Alan Shearer and all his goals.

“But in a team that cannot create as many chances they have to work hard – and Ayoze is working hard for the team.

“I am not saying he’s always perfect but if you analyse what we have, he is doing a job and helping us get points. Obviously, if he