Newcastle fans have reacted as striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been left out of the Newcastle line-up for the Sunday lunchtime FA Cup clash against Chelsea.
The 23-year-old striker doesn’t even make the bench, leaving fans to think they’ve seen the last of him in black and white.
The team news was announced on the official Newcastle Twitter page ahead of the 1.30pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
TEAM NEWS: Here's how #NUFC will line up at @ChelseaFC in the @EmiratesFACup (kick-off 1:30pm GMT).
Starting XI: Darlow, Manquillo, Mbemba, Lascelles (c), Clark, Haïdara, Shelvey, Saivet, Hayden, Ritchie, Gayle.
Subs: Woodman, Yedlin, Dummett, Diamé, Atsu, Murphy, Joselu. pic.twitter.com/SBBxT7PbB8
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 28, 2018
With just four days left in the transfer window, one fan is concerned that his side is going to sell Mitrovic and bring nobody in to replace him.
Most Newcastle fans see this as the end of the road for a striker they always rated, even if he wasn’t given a run by Benitez.
Here are the best reactions from disgruntled Newcastle fans ahead of the FA Cup clash:
No mitro again? Surely has to be leaving
— Shaun Robert Mullen (@ShaunMull) January 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/Hutchinator2/status/957592192905895936
Says it all that Mitro isn't even in the squad but Jorgensen is starting
— David Storey (@DStorey89) January 28, 2018
Must have a decent offer on the table if that’s the case?
— Garry Laidler (@LaidlerGarry) January 28, 2018
Rafa out
— George Blair (@GeorgeBlairr) January 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/nufcismydrug/status/957592870025940993
everyone else except u realised long long ago that mitrovic has no future at Newcastle. Get over it
— paco godia (@PacoGodia) January 28, 2018
No Mitrovic, i have a feeling we might not see him in black and white again #NUFC
— NUFC HQ (@NUFC_HQ) January 28, 2018
Newcastle are in desperate need of a cup run to boost flagging morale after a terrible couple of months on and off the field.
Takeover talks with Amanda Staveley are in tatters and manager Rafa Benitez has only managed to bring in Chelsea attacker Kenedy on loan.
Ironically, he can’t play today against Chelsea and can’t play for his new club even if they manage to progress after playing for his former club in the competition.
On the pitch, a string of bad results have left Newcastle struggling in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone in 15th.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are flying high in third.
In other Newcastle news, Stan Collymore has slammed this reported Newcastle striker target, claims only two players are good enough.
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