Murphy has so far made just one appearance for Newcastle United in all competitions.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
Rafael Benitez has admitted that he knew before summer signing Daryl Murphy arrived at Newcastle United that he was not going to be a starter for the Magpies, the Shields Gazette reports.
The Republic of Ireland international had been a stalwart of the Ipswich Town side ever since his first loan move to Portman Road in 2011.
Daryl Murphy, during his time with Ipswich
However, he has found opportunities much more difficult to come by since his move to St James’ Park, with his debut in the EFL Cup clash with Wolves remaining his only appearance to date.
And while he is currently sidelined with a calf injury (via Shields Gazette), Benitez has suggested that the intention has always been for Murphy to be more on the periphery of the squad rather than be a key man like he was with the Tractor Boys.
Daryl Murphy has made just one appearance for Newcastle
“He is not someone we had watched for a long time, but when we were looking for strikers with experience in this competition we had to pick one from two or three, and he was one of the options and he wanted to come here,” he said, as reported by the Shields Gazette.
“And we liked him. We knew he was not to be a starter, but we thought he could do well because he is clever, has good movement for a target man and is quite mobile.”
While the 33-year-old is entering the twilight of his career, he will certainly feel that he can force his way up the pecking order during his time at Newcastle.
Murphy’s physicality means that he can provide different attributes to the ones that the likes of Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic provide. And while Gayle has been sensational this season, Murphy will surely believe that he can prove to be more than an impact sub for the Magpies.
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