Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez says he was particularly happy about the performance of goalkeeper Matz Sels against Preston North End on Tuesday night.
The Belgian international had been recalled from the side after being dropped in favour of Karl Darlow in the last five league matches but the Magpies manager was quick to single out the 24 year old keeper for praise after a good display in the EFL Cup. He told the Chronicle:
“We changed the keeper because we thought it was the right time and not because he was doing badly. I am really pleased also with the clean sheet, and the save that he made, so everything has been really positive.”
Whether Sels has done enough to come back into the side for league matches remains to be seen. Darlow did concede three goals against Norwich City on his return to the starting eleven last month but since then he has kept clean sheets against Rotherham United, Barnsley and Ipswich Town in the league.
Despite Benitez’s praise for Sels, it is expected that the former Nottingham Forest keeper will return in goal for the league match against Preston on Saturday. The Newcastle manager does have some selection headaches after the 6-0 win on Tuesday with many fringe players impressing in the convincing victory in the EFL Cup.
