Newcastle face Brighton on Saturday at St. James’ Park.
Rafa Benitez will have a number of selection headaches ahead of Newcastle’s crucial Premier League clash against Brighton on Saturday afternoon – and fans have urged him to start Henri Saivet on Twitter.
The 27-year-old was a surprise starter during the Toon’s 3-2 win over West Ham on December 23, scoring an exquisite long-range free-kick and proving instrumental in Newcastle’s first three points since October 21.
However, the Senegal international was left out of Newcastle’s 18-man squad against Manchester City on Wednesday night, as Benitez watched his side battle bravely in a 1-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s men.
Jonjo Shelvey was average at best against City, while the match was considered too early for Isaac Hayden who is still looking to overcome injury after missing the last two games.
Newcastle fans, though, want former Bordeaux star Saivet to return to the starting line-up on Saturday as the Toon face Brighton in what is already being considered as a crucial match at the bottom of the Premier League.
One fan claimed that Saivet’s omission on Wednesday was to keep him fresh “with Brighton in mind”.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
