Rafael Benitez provides Newcastle United fitness update

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Newcastle United are due to face Brighton & Hove Albion in their next Premier League match.

Rafael Benitez has confirmed to the Shields Gazette that he will be without Florian Lejeune, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Jesus Gamez in Newcastle United’s next match against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Lejeune, Mitrovic and Gamez are all nursing injuries, at a time when Newcastle need all their players available to them.

Benitez’s squad only has a limited amount of quality, and their current problems with injuries are hardly helping the North East side’s poor form.

The Magpies were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City last night, which means they have won just once in their last 10 matches.

Newcastle are now just one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League table, with concerns rising that they could get dragged into the bottom three.

And the only bit of positive news that Newcastle fans can cling on to currently is that Isaac Hayden could at least be fit for the weekend.

“Maybe Hayden will be available,” said Benitez. “(Aleksandar) Mitrovic no, (Jesus) Gamez no. I think that maybe Hayden will have a chance.

“Lejeune had a kick in the training session and has a problem with his foot. I don’t think that he will be available.”

Mitrovic has actually suggested he could leave Newcastle in January, after struggling so badly for game time this season.

When Lejeune and Gamez do eventually recover it will be a boost to Newcastle’s defensive options.

If Benitez’s men are able to beat Brighton in two days’ time, they could move up to 12th in the Premier League table.