Isaac Hayden

Undoubtedly the club’s best player so far this season.

The former Arsenal man has operated with the sort of discipline the St. James’ Park faithful so hoped Cheick Tiote would learn over the last five years or so.

Despite his relatively slight frame, the 21-year-old has mixed graft and guile in the engine room, putting out fires all over the place.

Unlike many defensive midfielders, the ex-England Under 20 international boasts the sort of distribution that Benitez needs to keep the ball moving.