Rafael Benitez comments on why he’s not picking Mo Diame for Newcastle United

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Mo Diame has barely featured for Newcastle United in 2019.

Rafael Benitez has told the Daily Mirror that he is not under any pressure to leave Mo Diame out of Newcastle United’s starting line-up.

Diame only needs to start two more games for Newcastle this season to activate a clause in his contract, which will extend his deal by another year.

However, the powerful midfielder has been taken out of Newcastle’s line-up in recent weeks.

Diame’s current deal is set to expire in the summer, and he has now reached the age of 31.

Mike Ashley famously prefers to have younger players in Newcastle’s squad.

But Benitez insists that he is leaving Diame out of Newcastle’s line-up out of choice, rather than due to pressure from the board.

“No, I don’t have any problem with that,” Benitez said, when asked whether he was under pressure to leave Diame out.

If Diame does leave Newcastle in the summer, which now looks likely, the Magpies will surely have to go out and buy a central midfielder – otherwise they could be left desperately short of options next term.