‘Nothing special’ – Rafael Benitez confirms return of Newcastle outcast v Crystal Palace
By Russell Edge
Newcastle United manager has confirmed that Aleksandar Mitrovic will return to the first team squad for their clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Serbian striker had been cast out of the Magpies’ recent match day squads by the Spanish manager, as he named Joselu and Dwight Gayle in the starting XI and on the bench respectively.
However, after confirming that Gayle, last season’s top scorer for the club, would be missing for the match against the Eagles due to injury, Benitez said that Mitrovic would be taking his place, despite his absence in the past few weeks.
He told the media, as quoted by the Shields Gazette: “If you have a player with a knock or a little problem, you say ‘maybe I have to bring someone just in case’.
“What has happened for us, in terms of strikers, is that we have Dwight now, who’s not available, so Mitrovic will be there.
“It’s nothing special, it’s just that you have to pick your squad, your team and the players have to understand.”
Mitrovic, a 32-time-capped Serbian international, has endured a difficult start to the season, having failed to establish himself in the first team.
He has just one appearance in the league this season, coming off the substitute’s bench to play, and score, against West Ham.
However an off-the-ball incident saw him receive a subsequent three match ban and he is yet to have appeared in the squad of 18 for the club’s past two matches, despite having returned to eligibility two games ago.
Since joining the club, he has made 67 appearances, scoring 17 goals across all competitions.
In other Newcastle United news, a Russian billionaire has registered interest in taking over the Magpies.
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