Newcastle United Offer Rafa Benitez Food for Thought With Cheltenham Win
"?Newcastle United have given manager Rafa Benitez a selection headache after their performance against Cheltenham Town in the EFL Cup second round.
Two goals from attacker Ayoze Perez got him off the mark for the season and now he will be pushing to be included in the starting XI for their next league game against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Despite Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle leaving the field because of head injuries, Benitez believes they will both still be available for the fixture on Saturday - which gives the Spaniard some thinking to do.
Mitrovic only got through 35 minutes of action on Tuesday night, but his introduction into the team gives it a whole different dimension in attack. With the Serbian in the side, Gayle could also play off his shoulder and profit from his hold up play and ability in the air.
What has become clear as the season has gone on is that Gayle will now be starting most games. After hitting the back of the net four times already, there is no way that Benitez will drop the former Crystal Palace man unless he picks up an injury.
There is no concern with him either, despite the summer singing leaving the pitch after picking up a blow to the head - but he should be fine for the weekend.
Speaking after the game, the "?Chronicle reported that Benitez said: "But we are disappointed because we have injuries, three concussions, but I don't think they will be a problem.
"I spoke to them at the end of the game and they were feeling better and (I am) hoping they are OK for Saturday."
If Gayle has to miss out, Perez will be no doubt be in the running to take his place having made an impact playing up front. Again on Tuesday he was stationed out wide, but that couldn't prevent him from bagging two goals.
The former Tenerife man has been relegated to a bit-part role this season, but he can still bring a lot to the side - and it feels like Benitez is still trying to suss out a way to integrate him, along with Gayle and Mitrovic into the team.
Whether or not he can do that remains to be seen, but Tuesday's goals will give him a lot more to think about.
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