Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic could hand manager Rafa Benitez a massive boost as he ramps up his return from injury, according to the Shields Gazette.
The Serbian was stretchered off against Birmingham City almost two weeks ago and the Toon Army must have feared the worst, though fears of a more serious injury were somewhat allayed when it was revealed he’d suffered a deep cut in his leg.
To make matters worse, Dwight Gayle then limped off against Brentford a week later and only Daryl Murphy and Ayoze Perez are currently available as recognised central strikers to Benitez. However, speaking in his press conference yesterday, the Spaniard revealed the 22-year-old forward could even make next week’s FA Cup 4th-round tie away at Oxford.
“I’m quite optimistic”, said the 56-year-old.
“He is doing well. He has no stitches now. He can bend the knee.”
“I’m quite positive. You see him walking now, he is fine. ”
Despite his standing as one of the most popular players amongst the club’s fans, it’s been a bizarre campaign for the former Anderlecht ace thus far, having largely played second fiddle to the aforementioned Gayle.
Still, perhaps he could be the man to aid their title tilt in the second tier during the hardest months of the season.
