Rafa Benitez has been speaking to the media today in for his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Leicester City to St James’ Park.
Here are some of the key points to take from Rafa’s presser today:
- Rafa has confirmed that Jamaal Lascelles and Christian Atsu are fit and ready to return against Leicester City tomorrow night.
- Benitez sent a subtle warning to Mike Ashley when discussing the January transfer window, stating: “I am expecting that the money we did not spend in August to be available in January.” – He then confirmed that he will be having a meeting with Ashley to discuss this.
- Rafa refused to make much comment about Ashley and Staveley’s meeting in London this week, stating “We will see what happens with that”, but admitting that he knows nothing about what was said and will only concentrate on tomorrow’s game.
- Paul Dummett will not make his long awaited return for tomorrow’s game, with the NUFC left-back set to feature for the U-23’s in a bid to build his match fitness tonight.
- Benitez once again stated the importance of his sticking together, stating ‘we have to be really, really united if we want to stay in the Premier League’.
- Rafa also paid tribute to the NUFC fans ahead of the club’s 125th year anniversary tomorrow, but hopes that the celebrations can be enjoyed all the more with a win.
? You can now watch Rafa Benítez's media briefing in full on NUFC TV ahead of Saturday's 125th anniversary game against @LCFC.
?? https://t.co/V9QD8YTbhd #NUFC #125YearsUnited pic.twitter.com/Kcu39IWfIH
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 8, 2017
Rafa says Jamaal Lascelles and Christian Atsu are back from injury for tomorrow's match against Leicester.
Paul Dummett still isn't ready to return to first team action and will play for the under 23s to improve his fitness #NUFC— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) December 8, 2017
Rafa: “We are having a meeting. We will see if the money we didn’t spend in August will be available.” #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) December 8, 2017
Rafa on Ashley & Staveley meeting: "I don't know what they were talking about and I don't know anything apart from they had the meeting. We will see what happens with that…. My job is just to concentrate on things on the pitch." #NUFC @bbcnewcastle
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) December 8, 2017
Rafa Benitez says he hasn’t been briefed since ‘Pilau Talk’, but he doesn’t need to be. He’s had no assurances on January transfer window funds.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) December 8, 2017
Rafa: "I have the feeling sometimes we put ourselves under too much pressure because we think 'we have to win this one'. We have to be sure the team competes and has chances to win. We are very close for winning or losing games. We have to be sure we're capable of drawing." #NUFC
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) December 8, 2017
RB: "We have to be really, really united if we want to stay in the Premier League." #NUFC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 8, 2017
