Rafa Benitez is confident that Islam Slimani will be in contention to feature against Manchester United on Sunday.
The centre-forward joined the Magpies on loan from Leicester City on transfer deadline day, but wasn’t fit enough to play against Crystal Palace due to having a thigh injury.
Benitez confirmed that the 29-year-old missed the 1-1 draw against Palace as he wasn’t ready but revealed he was in with a chance of playing against Man United.
“He was not ready,” said the Magpies boss, as quoted by the Chronicle Live.
“He was training on Saturday, he will train tomorrow, and he will have a chance for next Sunday.
“He must compete, like Dubravka and Kenedy.”
Slimani scored five goals in 17 appearances for Leicester City this season, which means he averaged a goal every 129 minutes.
The Magpies signed the centre-forward as they have struggled for goals during this campaign, scoring only 23 goals in 25 league games.
OPINION
This is great news for Newcastle fans as they need Slimani in the team as quick as possible. The Magpies have lacked a prolific goalscorer this season which has led to them being in the relegation dogfight. While Benitez’s side still face a tough task beating Man United even with the centre-forward in the team, he at least gives them a better chance of getting a result. At the very least, featuring against Man United will make Slimani sharper for the Magpies following game against Bournemouth. The clash against Eddie Howe’s side should be a game that Benitez is aiming to pick points up from even if they sit ninth in the table.