OPINION
Rafa Benitez has claimed that Newcastle United currently have enough players when everyone is available and that the Magpies will find it hard to accommodate any returning loanees.
The experienced manager is set to welcome back a host of players in the summer after they’ve been away on loan; with the likes of Jack Colback, Jamie Sterry, Sean Longstaff, Adam Armstrong, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Alex Gilliead all due back on Tyneside in the near future.
However Benitez played down the chances of his returning loanees breaking into the first-team anytime soon.
“Some players will come back,” stated Benitez, as quoted by the Chronicle.
“I need to have a meeting with Steve Nickson and Ben Dawson about it, at the moment we don’t need more bodies because everybody is available.
“We even have a problem when we play 11 vs 11 in training because somebody is left out, in terms of competition, it’s difficult for them.”
Benitez’s latest claim appears to be harmless as he doesn’t shut the door completely on his returning loanees getting opportunities, he just makes everyone aware that it will be difficult for them.
While the majority of the names listed have no business being given a chance in the Magpies’ first-team next season, 21-year-old forward Armstrong deserves playing time at St James’ Park.
Armstrong has enjoyed two separate loan spells this season, spending the first half of the campaign at Championship side Bolton, before returning to the Magpies in January in order to be sent out to League One’s Blackburn Rovers.
The 21-year-old impressed at Bolton in the 20 appearances he made for the club, despite only scoring one goal, and has been in prolific form ever since joining Blackburn.
Armstrong is a regular goal machine at Ewood Park, scoring nine goals in his 18 outings for the club despite being played as a winger.
The 21-year-old really deserves his chance at St James’ Park after being at the club for his whole career, with his departures only being temporary, and it’s a worry that Benitez isn’t directly welcoming him back with open arms.
Supporters must know that after only being allowed to make 21 appearances in total for the Magpies, Armstrong might seek a permanent exit in order to actually be able to settle into a side’s first-team.
The young goal machine knows that he is at a pivotal stage of his career and if not afforded opportunities at St James’ Park will have to depart in order to keep fulfilling his potential.
Therefore while Benitez’s latest claim appears harmless, Magpies supporters must worry that Armstrong’s future may not be at the club as the experienced manager isn’t exactly breaking out the welcome committee for his return.