Sellars was part of Newcastle United’s Division One winning side of 1992/93 and made 75 league appearances for the club.
Scott Sellars in action for Newcastle United
Former Newcastle United midfielder Scott Sellars spoke to The Chronicle to discuss his old side’s chances of promotion from the Championship this season.
Sellars was part of the Magpies side that were crowned Division One Champions in 1993 to earn a place in the Premier League for the first time.
And it was a Sellars free-kick against bitter rivals Sunderland that all but secured promotion for United over 23 years ago under Kevin Keegan.
Now the club find themselves in the second tier once again and the former Magpie feels Rafa Benitez is the man to get them promoted.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
“Ultimately, they have a really good proven manager in place with a proven record,” Sellars told The Chronicle.
“He knows English football and he has worked out a lot about the Championship. I think the Championship is one of the toughest leagues there are, and the toughest I ever played in.
“There are a lot of games, two or three a week. It’s tough and nobody gives you any respect no matter what you have done.
“They will be coming at you and you have to be ready for it. The acquisitions will help them cope with that.
“But they have a man at the top who is top class and will prove to be like that.”
Scott Sellars in action Bolton Wanderers
Sellars was also promoted into the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers after their title winning campaign in 1996/97 and has tipped Newcastle to follow suit this season.
And so far Newcastle have managed a relatively positive start to life in the Championship under Benitez with five wins and four clean sheets from their opening eight league matches which leaves the side sitting third in the table.
A disappointing home defeat to Sellars’ current employers Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend brought the Magpies back down to earth following their five straight victories and they’ll be looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday away to Aston Villa (5.30pm kick-off).
Wolves’ Helder Costa is denied by Newcastle United’s Matz Sels
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