Slimani sits out clash as he fights for fitness

NEWCASTLE United striker Islam Slimani was left out of Algeria’s 4-1 win over Tanzania,

Algeria’s decision to omit Slimani has raised hopes he could return to Tyneside to continue his recovery from a thigh injury without being risked in any games for his country.

The Magpies also don’t want the striker to figure in Tuesday’s friendly with Iran and are hoping he returns to the club’s training centre next week to pick up in a similar position with United’s fitness coach.

Newcastle’s back-room team feel Slimani may have an outside chance of being on the bench for the crunch clash against Huddersfield Town next Saturday.

However, he is yet to take part in any contact training sessions after working away from the main group last week during United’s trip to Spain. Unless Slimani

is involved in the full-scale training schedule towards the end of the week he could have to wait until April 15 against Arsenal to finally make his United bow.

Slimani cannot play on April 7 at Leicester City due to the conditions of his loan deal with the Magpies. Speaking to the media last week in Spain, Benitez had said: “It is not ideal but we cannot stop them or stop him playing. “We want him to play to be sure he is a little bit better if he has to play against Huddersfield. “He is progressing. “Our medical stuff are talking with the medical staff of his national team. “Hopefully, he will progress in the days ahead and we will see if he plays some minutes there.”