Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez and his coaching staff watched on as left back Massadio Haidara continued his recovery from a long term knee injury by playing sixty minutes for Newcastle’s Under 23 side yesterday, reports the Shields Gazette.
The Under 23s lost 2-0 to Sheffield United in the Central League Cup with Peter Beardley’s side struggling to make an impression on the match despite the presence of the Magpies boss at the game.
Haidara has been sidelined since last November but he will have a huge task on his hands to break back into the senior side when he is fully fit with Newcastle currently having two other first team left backs in Paul Dummett and Achraf Lazaar.
While Dummett has started all but one of Newcastle’s league matches under Benitez this season, Lazaar has only recently arrived on Tyneside after completing his £3m move from Serie A side Palermo. The Moroccan international made his first appearance for the Magpies on Tuesday night in the 2-0 EFL Cup win over Wolves.
