Russell Edge

Tue 16 January 2018 19:56, UK

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has hinted that outcast striker Aleksandar Mitrovic could return to the first team set up after he recovers from the back injury he is suffering from.
The Serbian international has been a long term absentee for the Spanish boss, missing the club’s last seven games, having been cast out from the first team squad in favour of Joselu and Dwight Gayle when the trio were all fully fit.
However, despite looking like the 23-year-old had played his last game for the Magpies, Benitez has hinted at his possible return to action, insisting that he is close to recovering from injury and that he could play his part in the second half of the season.
He told the Chronicle: “Sometimes if you have enough players available and players coming back from injuries maybe you can manage in a better way.
“We have to wait to see. We have Florian Lejeune, Jesus Gamez and Aleksandar Mitrovic all running.
“Mitro is getting close and we will see. Gamez will take more time but if they are fine then we have more bodies.”
Mitrovic has managed to score two goals in just seven appearances this season, six of those coming in the Premier League, although he does not have a single top flight start to his name during the current campaign.
In total he has turned out 72 times for the Magpies with 17 goals under his belt, while he has also picked up 33 caps for Serbia.
Of the other two absentees, Gamez has just three appearances across all competitions this season, while summer signing Lejeune has turned out 12 times.
In other Newcastle United news, Sky Sports have detailed a critical update on the club’s takeover talks.