Rondon can strike lucky - with help

RAFA Benitez believes Salomon Rondon can become prolific for Newcastle United – as long as his team-mates provide him with positive service.

The 29-year-old scored the Magpies’ goal on Saturday during a 1-0 victory over relegation rivals Huddersfield Town, a triumph which elevated United to 14th in the table.

It was Rondon’s fourth strike in his past six matches and the Venezuelan has helped deliver seven valuable points during that period.

His strike came after a swift counter-attacking move and was the only clear-cut opportunity the West Bromwich Albion loanee had in front of goal - yet he ruthlessly dispatched it against a wasteful Terriers side.

Benitez is adamant Rondon can significantly increase his current tally of four Premier League strikes - as long as the Venezuelan’s team-mates provide him with good service.

He said of the striker: “I am happy with him but he can still improve.

“I think he is doing a great job for the team but we maybe have to support him a little bit more.

“If he has more support, if he has more crosses and passes into him, then he will score more goals because he can do it.

“Anyone can do it if you give them more assists - but I think with Salomon if the team puts the ball in the right position then he will also be on the end of the crosses or at the end of the passes.

“We knew him quite well before we signed him. We knew he could do what he is doing already.

“Still he can improve and he knows he can improve – so he will work hard to try and do that.”

As things stand, Rondon will return to West Brom at the end of the season, given the bespoke loan deal – which also saw Dwight Gayle head to the Hawthorns for the campaign – does not contain an option to buy.

Yet Benitez is confident, should Rondon continue scoring, a permanent deal will take care of itself - even if the current Newcastle hierarchy was reluctant to sanction a big-money transfer for a player of the Venezuelan’s age during the summer.

He added: “It will be fine. Hopefully he can start scoring a lot of goals, and then you can ask me this in a few weeks.”