Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will return to Tyneside after the international break in a positive frame of mind after scoring for Serbia in a World Cup qualifier against Georgia.
The strike helped his side to a 3-1 win that means they top the group. It was rare goal from outside of the penalty area for Mitrovic and the 22 year old was quoted by the Shields Gazette as saying the goal even came as a surprise to him:
“It’s a long time since I scored a goal from outside the area. I even surprised myself.”
The Serbian has struggled for form in 2017, and has scored just one goal for the Magpies, in the 1-0 win over Wolves back in February. After that goal, the Serbian was given a run in the first team by Rafa Benitez but he failed to find the back of the net in three matches.
He has subsequently not played a single minute in the last five league games, with Daryl Murphy being favoured ahead him despite the absence of Dwight Gayle due to injury.
With Murphy suffering with a calf problem, Mitrovic may be given more game time, but with Gayle recovered after being troubled by a niggling hamstring injury, he could still find himself on the bench again on Saturday when they face Wigan Athletic.
