Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez would not be drawn on whether striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will start tonight’s match against Preston North End but said the Serbian was raring to go in preparation for the EFL Cup tie.
The 22 year old has only started one league game this season; in the 6-0 thrashing against Queens Park Rangers back in September in which he scored, but Benitez is expected to rotate his squad for today’s game. Talking to the Shields Gazette when asked about the possibility of the forward starting, the Magpies boss replied:
“He (Mitrovic) is training well, and hopefully he will play well if he’s playing.”
With Daryl Murphy still sidelined with injury, and with Dwight Gayle and Ayoze Perez playing a Championship match just three days ago, Benitez is expected to give the Serbian another opportunity to shine.
In what is effectively a double header with Newcastle facing Preston once again in the Championship away at Deepdale at the weekend, there will certainly be some changes. Benitez however was quick to say that whatever team he picks won’t be a weakened side:
“We try to improve Mitrovic, because maybe he’ll play in the next game and be important. If you have this attitude, you have a squad where it doesn’t feel as if you pick a weak team. Everyone is ready to play.”
