Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has revealed that striker Salomon Rondon is still not fully match fit despite making an appearance on the weekend against Southampton.
As reported on the Chronicle Live, the forward returned to the matchday squad for the first time since he picked up a thigh injury earlier in the season.
The on-loan forward was given 22 minutes by Benitez at the St Mary’s Stadium and he managed to have two shots in that time period.
However, the boss believes that he needs some more time to get back to full fitness. He said:
It is good to have another striker and more competition. But his match fitness needs to improve by playing games. He was training with the fitness coach. Now in the last couple of weeks he has been more involved with the team.
He is a little far away from his condition but he is another option and that’s quite positive.
The Magpies are still seeking their first league victory of the season and are second to last in the Premier League table, having only scored six goals in ten matches.
Benitez will be hoping that Rondon can find some goalscoring form once he is 100% fit.
