Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is happy with the striking options in his squad but he admits he is finding it very difficult to choose between the four forwards with each one performing well in training.
The Spaniard opted for the strike pairing of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez in the 6-0 thrashing of Queens Park Rangers last night, leaving out Dwight Gayle who has scored four goals already this season, and omitting Daryl Murphy from the squad altogether for the match at Loftus Road. The Magpies boss told the Shields Gazette:
“I am very happy with the strikers. It was a difficult decision for me, because Gayle is doing really well and Murphy was also doing well. To leave somebody out of the squad and play Mitro instead of Gayle or Ayoze is difficult. I am really pleased that we have a good squad and everybody worked hard in the training sessions to be in the team.”
Both Perez and Mitrovic scored in the win, making Benitez’s decision just as hard for the side’s next match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. The Magpies have now made it six wins in a row in all competitions with five clean sheets. The victory at Loftus Road gave Benitez his third away win of the season in four matches, showing that the Magpies’ away hoodoo is very much behind them.
