Rafa Benitez delivers much needed update on Salomon Rondon – It’s good & bad news

Rafa Benitez has confirmed that Salomon Rondon is now ‘getting better’ ahead of his comeback from a thigh injury – however The Chronicle are still suggesting that he still faces a ‘race against time’ to be fit for Southampton on Saturday.

The Venezuelan has now missed our last three games after being withdrawn at half time in the 0-0 draw at Palace,

The Chronicle have since confirmed that he’s taken part in ‘light’ training sessions with the first-team squad, meaning he’ll have to step that up over the next few days if he’s going to make it.

Here’s what Rafa’s had to say about his situation:

“He’s getting better, but he has been away for a while,”

“I don’t think we expect just one player to make a big difference. If you have Rondon you have more competition up front. Maybe he can help.

“We need the rest of the team to do their best every game.”

The ‘but’ from Rafa here suggests to me that he’ll only find himself on the bench if he is fit for Southampton, meaning he’d have Muto and Joselu to choose from.

Chris Waugh noticed that he appeared to be walking with a ‘limp’ when he was spotted exiting St James’ Park after Saturday’s game, however it seems he may still have a chance of featuring this weekend – even if it’s a slim one.

With 41 crosses put into the box against Brighton, you just wonder what may have been if we’d had the big man fit for that one.

It’s good to hear he’s ‘getting better’, but that above stat shows just how much we need him NOW.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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