Rafa Benitez has been speaking to the press ahead of tomorrow’s game with Leicester, confirming that Salomon Rondon looks set to me missing for at least a ‘couple of weeks’.
The Venezuelan was forced off at half time last weekend with a thigh injury, and not only will he miss tomorrow’s crucial clash with Leicester, Rafa has suggested that he could face a few weeks on the sidelines.
Here’s some of the key points from Rafa’s presser, covering Rondon’s injury, Ashley’s return to the stands, the upcoming recruitment meeting, Keegan’s new book and tomorrow’s game against Leicester:
Rafa on Rondon:
“Rondon cannot play. We have to assess him & see how he is going on in the next week. We need to check. A couple of weeks he might be out for. Then decide after that.
“He has not been fully fit for us yet. We need to manage without him this weekend.”
Rafa on Ashley’s presence at the Palace game and the upcoming recruitment meeting:
“I was not surprised because I knew he was coming. If the owner wants to be around, it has to be positive. Hopefully it will be the case in the next weeks & months. I don’t know 100% if he will come tomorrow”
“We have not spoken directly this week, but I spoke to Lee Charnley yesterday & that is how we usually talk. I met the recruitment team yesterday, then we will have a meeting with scouts to see what we want. It is a normal meeting, not a special one”
Rafa on Keegan and some of the details of his new book:
“Keegan was great here & I would like to do as well as he did here. He was amazing as a player, as a manager & everything. But I am so focused on my team that I do not have time to read what is going on. If it’s a good book, I will read it.”
Rafa on tomorrow’s game with Leicester:
“We have been close to winning some games, but also losing some.
“Overall the team is strong enough to compete, & if you compete against teams outside the top 6 we will have more chances. But Leicester are a very good team. We have to be confident though”
Huge game tomorrow.
Howay the lads!
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Is Rondon the new Slimani ?
Geordie exile(Quote)