Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has provided an update on four of his players ahead of the clash against Southampton this weekend.
The Magpies travel down south to face the Saints at St Mary’s Stadium, and Benitez has provided a positive update – via Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder’s personal Twitter account – on striker Salomon Rondon, confirming that he is in the squad for the away trip.
First team centre-back Ciaran Clark has also been passed fit for this crunch fixture, while Jamie Sterry and Florian Lejeune are the only players that remain unavailable.
Ciaran Clark also declared fit with Benitez saying: "Lejeune and Sterry are the only two unavailable" #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) October 26, 2018
Rondon is IN the squad for #nufc away to Southampton.
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) October 26, 2018
OPINION
This really is a major boost for Benitez ahead of the game with Southampton – the fact that Salomon Rondon is fit to feature will really give the team some hope. Benitez has been using Yoshinori Muto as cover for Rondon, and while the Japan international has impressed, Rondon has really been missed on the pitch due to his strength and aerial threat. However, him returning does not spell the end of Muto’s stint in the first team necessarily – there is no reason why Benitez cannot start the two of them together this weekend. Nevertheless, the Spaniard will be very happy that he has another option up front and that he is not so limited as to who he can play in attack – so hopefully Rondon makes a vast difference if he is selected to play. As for Ciaran Clark, even though he is not first choice centre-back, his return will also be a boost. He provides the depth needed at the back, and will give Benitez the reassurance of quality defensive cover.
