Newcastle United have benefitted vastly from the loan additions of Kenedy and Martin Dubravka in January, both of whom have helped the Magpies push ten points clear of the relegation zone.
Islam Slimani, signed on-loan from Leicester City, was the final addition of Rafael Benitez’s January trio but injury issues have left the Algeria international struggling to make an impression on Tyneside over the course of the past few months.
However, Slimani is fit to face Arsenal on Sunday and Benitez has remained positive on the striker’s situation, suggesting he has six games left to secure a potential permanent switch to St. James’ Park.
Speaking to The Chronicle, the Spanish boss said:
“The timing was bad because he was getting better and getting fitter. He could have easily played at Leicester but had to wait. We can’t change that but he has been training well. Hopefully, he will go on to prove a good addition for us this season still.”
“Islam still has six games left. We’ve spoken about Kenedy and Martin Dubravka as good additions in January so hopefully Islam can also give us something different. He’s already improved the attack in terms of competition. It’s also quite positive.”
Slimani’s deal with Newcastle includes the option of a permanent purchase this summer but he’ll have to impress in the final weeks of the season.
