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Tue 7 February 2017 18:24, UK

By Amir Mir

Richard Keys has suggested that Leeds could earn automatic promotion to the Premier League at the expense of Newcastle.

The former Sky Sports presenter stated that the current Championship leaders “could miss out” and manager Rafa Benitez “knows it”.

Key’s comments would not go down well with the Newcastle faithful as their team currently lead Garry Monk’s side by eight points with a game in hand.

Monk took charge of the Elland Road club in the summer and the Englishman has throughout this campaign lead them with promotion form.

They are currently eight points clear of seventh-placed Norwich as a top six finish looks likely with 16 games of the season remaining.

However, BeIN presenter Keys believes the Yorkshire club can make an instant return to the Premier League after a 13-year absence.

“I wouldn’t rule out Leeds getting up automatically,” Keys wrote on his personal blog. “If they do it’s Newcastle that could miss out – and Benitez knows it.

“As for Monk, he’s a fine young British coach who was badly treated at Swansea. It’s good to see him recovering his reputation.”

Monk’s side have already played the Magpies this season, with the north-east club winning the Championship encounter 2-0 at Elland Road in November.

That was the last time Leeds lost a fixture in front of their own supporters as they will be looking to pick up the points when they travel to St James’ Park in April.

Newcastle will now take on Paul Lambert’s Wolves for a tricky fixture in the Midlands on Saturday, while the Whites host Welsh outfit Cardiff on the same day.

A win for Monk’s team could seem them move up to third in the table, while the Magpies have the chance to extend their one-point lead on second-placed Brighton.

In other Leeds news, it has been confirmed that this key man will be facing a spell on the sidelines. 

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