Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has warned on-loan striker Islam Slimani to stick to his fitness plan.
The 29-year old is yet to make his maiden appearance for the Magpies since he signed for the club from Leicester in a short-term switch in January.
The Algeria international suffered a thigh muscle strain in a training session with the Foxes and has been struggling ever since, and the North-East club are beginning to get concerned, with the business end of the season fast approaching.
Despite his fitness plan, Slimani is eager to get back playing, but the Spanish coach insists he must bide his time. Talking to NUFC TV, Benitez said;
He [Slimani] has a plan, he has to follow that plan.
He is working with the fitness coach but he has to follow the plan.
It isn’t known whether the striker would be fit enough to play when the Magpies next have a fixture, against Huddersfield Town on March 31.
