Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has admitted he needs to play more under Rafael Benitez.
Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has told the Shields Gazette that unsettled striker Aleksandar Mitrovic does not deserve to play ahead of Dwight Gayle.
In an interview with the Shields Gazette this week, Mitrovic admitted that he was growing impatient with his lack of opportunities at St James’ Park.
The 23-year-old has not started a single Premier League game this season, despite scoring as a substitute in August’s win over West Ham United.
Benitez understands that the Serbian is concerned over his World Cup place, but feels that last season’s top scorer Gayle merits his selection ahead of Mitrovic.
“Every player in the squad now is in my plans, because we don’t have too big a squad,” Benitez is quoted by the Shields Gazette as saying.
“This is a time that agents are a little more agitated, and they’re working. In the case of Mitro, we know he’s looking at the World Cup. We’re playing Dwight. When you have your top scorer coming back, they have to work harder to be better, keep working hard and try to be ready. If they don’t have a chance, it’s maybe because others are doing well.
“We have a lot of players in different positions who could feel the same. If they do well, they can play. I understand the debate.”
Although Gayle did notch in last Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Manchester United, he had not previously scored this season while Mitrovic sat on the bench, or sometimes missed out on the squad entirely.
Ayoze Perez and summer signing Joselu have also struggled to get Newcastle firing – the Magpies have 11 goals in 12 league games, and yet Mitrovic has not been given a chance to stake his claim.
Benitez may claim that Mitrovic is in his plans, but his team selection says the exact opposite.
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