Newcastle United have struggled for form of late and a lot of questions have been asked as to why Aleksandar Mitrovic hasn’t been given opportunities to lead the line.
The 23-year-old Serbian international has found himself behind Joselu and Dwight Gayle in the pecking order, despite the pair having just three Premier League goals between them this term.
Mitrovic has spoken publicly about his desire to be given more chances, hinting he could be forced to leave in January, and Rafael Benitez has now given his response to a striker who’s looking to earn more minutes ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Quoted by The Shields Gazette, Benitez said ahead of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Watford, where Mitrovic appeared as a substitute, that Mitrovic remains in his plans.
“Every player in the squad now is in my plans, because we don’t have too big a squad.”
“This is a time that agents are a little more agitated, and they’re working. In the case of Mitro, we know he’s looking at the World Cup. We’re playing Dwight. When you have your top scorer coming back, they have to work harder to be better, keep working hard and try to be ready. If they don’t have a chance, it’s maybe because others are doing well.”
“We have a lot of players in different positions who could feel the same. If they do well, they can play. I understand the debate.”
Mitrovic will hope to earn playing opportunities in this week’s double-header in the Premier League, where the Magpies face West Brom and Chelsea as they seek to end their eight-game winless run.
