Benitez should consider starting Newcastle’s Saivet against West Brom

Follow us on Google Discover

Newcastle face West Brom on Tuesday night in the Premier League.

Rafa Benitez will be mulling over a number of changes to his Newcastle United side as the Toon travel to the Midlands to face West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Tuesday night.

One of his biggest selection headaches will be who to play in central midfield alongside England international Jonjo Shelvey, as he continues to keep faith with his preferred 4-2-3-1 system.

Newcastle have lost their last four games under the Spaniard, including Saturday’s dismal 3-0 loss to Watford at St. James’ Park, which will see the Toon boss surely make a number of changes to reinvigorate his beleaguered side.

Mo Diame was particularly poor against Marco Silva’s side, with Mikel Merino replacing the former Hull City ace with 21 minutes still to play on Saturday afternoon.

Spanish midfielder Merino is still recovering from a back injury and is unlikely to be 100 per cent fit, but Benitez must avoid continuing to place his faith Senegal international Diame.

With Newcastle’s options at a premium following a frustrating summer transfer window, Benitez should look to hand ostracised midfielder Henri Saivet a second chance in black and white stripes by throwing him in at the deep end against West Brom.

The former Bordeaux captain has made just one senior appearance this season, playing all 120 minutes of Newcastle’s extra-time defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup.

The 27-year-old was loaned to St. Etienne last season for the entire 2016-17 campaign where he impressed, but it has so far seemed apparent that he is not a part of Benitez’s Premier League plans.

However, he remains a part of the selected 25-man squad in England’s top tier, and Benitez should hand the Frenchman a chance to show just what he is capable of against managerless West Brom.

Able to connect the midfield and attack and offering pace in the middle of the park, his dogged determination would give Shelvey the space and time he needs to orchestrate the Toon’s attack from deep.

Starting Saivet would give Newcastle their best chance of securing three points, with Merino still lacking in match fitness and Diame simply not good enough at this level.