OPINION
Rafa Benitez will be sweating just as much as Kenedy is over the winger potentially being handed a retrospective ban for his actions against Cardiff City as he is vital to Newcastle United.
The Chronicle reported on Sunday that the 22-year-old Brazilian is facing a nervous wait to find out whether he will receive a suspension as he appeared to kick-out at Cardiff City midfielder Victor Camarasa during his side’s 0-0 draw with the Welsh club on Saturday.
The incident appeared to go unnoticed by referee Craig Pawson which means that the official could now submit a request to see Kenedy receive a suspension for his alleged actions, now that he has likely been made aware of the situation.
Given that the incident would warrant a ban for violent conduct if the Brazilian is found guilty then that will see him handed an automatic three-match suspension.
This would likely see Kenedy miss the games against Nottingham Forest, Manchester City as well as Arsenal given that, as stated by the Chronicle, the attacker is already unable to play against Chelsea next weekend due to being on loan from them.
When you consider that the games against Manchester City and Arsenal are a tough prospect already, Benitez knows that he needs all his best players available to choose from in order to have any chance of a decent result.
Kenedy may have had a nightmare showing against the Bluebirds on Saturday but he proved last season when on loan with the Magpies previously that he can be one of their best players.
Without the on-loan Chelsea star to choose from Benitez will likely have to make a decision about whether to play Christian Atsu or Jacob Murphy on his left-flank instead.
Atsu already looked well below standard that the club needed him to be against Spurs in his side’s Premier League opener when he was brought on as a substitute and Murphy didn’t exactly impress during his debut campaign for club last season.
This means if Kenedy receives a suspension, Benitez’s side are going to be worse for it and that will have him sweating over his potential line-up if that situation develops.
This means that the Magpies boss is likely just as worried as Kenedy over the player receiving a ban as it will make it difficult to pick up points over the next couple of weeks.
