Newcastle United beat Wolfsburg 3-1 in their most recent pre-season match.
Benitez picked Mitrovic to start up-front in Newcastle’s latest friendly, and the Serbian target-man impressed.
Mitrovic helped Newcastle pick up a 3-1 victory in the pre-season match, getting on the scoresheet before going off.
And Benitez said: “We told him before that he would play 45 minutes, so he has to give everything. He was trying. He had some chances to score a goal.
“He was there, and that’s what we were expecting. He was pushing and pressing the defenders and creating chances for himself and his team-mates.”
There were fears that Mitrovic could leave Newcastle, but he has played a key role throughout pre-season.
Mitrovic now looks likely to stay with the Magpies, as he aims to make more of an impact in the Premier League than he did last time he was playing in England’s top flight.
Mitrovic is a popular figure at St. James’ Park, but he is yet to nail down a place in Newcastle’s starting line-up.
If the 22-year-old does stick around, which is looking increasingly likely, he will be in competition with Dwight Gayle for a starting place.
Newcastle’s first game of the season comes in two weekends’ time, when they take on Tottenham Hotspur.
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