OPINION
Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has been left in a selection crisis following the clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
His side ended up losing 2-1, with right-back DeAndre Yedlin being given his marching orders for denying their opponents a clear goalscoring opportunity.
In light of this, Benitez must now figure out who is capable of filling in for the USA international during his absence – and he should call upon a player who considers the right-back role his most natural position.
That player is Jamie Sterry, who despite making no Premier League appearances this season, is someone who would be able to cover the position admirably.
It would be only his second Premier League appearance after making a six-minute cameo in the 15/16 season.
Otherwise, Benitez may be resorted to converting one of his left-backs into the role for the next few games, which is not the most ideal scenario.
That being said, the 23-year-old is not just a last-ditch solution for the manager – he has impressed playing for the under-23s this season and fully deserves to be rewarded for his efforts.
Yes, admittedly Sterry is not going to keep Yedlin out of the starting XI upon his return – but that does not stop him from making his mark on the first team in his absence.
Sterry needs as much first team football as necessary at his age in order to aid his development, so giving him this chance will be hugely beneficial to him.
Javier Manquillo is not a quality left-back in the slightest, so shifting him over to the right is completely out of the question.
This means the slot at right-back is there for the taking, which will no doubt be brilliant news for the United starlet.
Picking Sterry is the only way to ease the selection crisis for Benitez, so he must make this adjustment in order to have the best possible starting XI on Saturday.
