Newcastle United face a daunting trip to Norwich City this weekend, in what many have branded a must win match. On the other hand, Rafa Benitez believes Newcastle have more than enough time to stay up, with this match being stepping stone to safety.
Yet again the international break has been far from kind for the Magpies, potential Player Of The Season Rob Elliot suffering a knee injury. His season is over.
Newcastle fans only need to remember back to October’s break to remember Tim Krul sustaining exactly the same injury.
Moussa Sissoko, Gini Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba, Seydou Doumbia and Henri Saivet were all away on international duties.
This has left Benitez just a matter of days to take his starting line-up through his tactical plans and drills, culminating in Friday afternoon’s session.
Daryl Janmaat is expected to return, however Massaido Haidara and Fabricio Coloccini will both be absent from the squad.
Here’s Read Newcastle’s predicted XI for the game against Norwich City.
