Islam Slimani is “desperate” to return to action for Newcastle and Rafa Benitez believes the forward could make his comeback from injury during the international break.
The 29-year-old was absent from the side that drew 1-1 with Royal Antwerp in a 135-minute friendly on Sunday and is yet to make his competitive debut for United since arriving from Leicester in January.
Slimani is still recovering from a thigh injury after suffering a setback last month, but was still called up by Algeria for the friendlies with Tanzania and Iran.
And Benitez expects Slimani, who has been restricted to gym work during the four-day training camp in Spain, will make it onto the pitch for his country after watching the Antwerp match from the stands.
“He has the program,” Benitez told the Shields Gazzette. “Our doctor is in contact with their doctor. He will be there and he will see how he feels. Depending on that, he will play or he will not play.”
“He’s quite positive. He’s desperate to play. We will see how many minutes, if he can play.
“If everything is fine, he will be the one with the doctors there who will say he’s OK.”
Providing Slimani comes through the two matches unscathed, he could make long-awaited Magpies debut against Huddersfield on 31 March.
