Newcastle forward Aleksander Mitrovic is keen to silence his critics this weekend.
With Dwight Gayle’s limping off after just 33 minutes against Aston Villa, Gayle could be out for a further 5 games with a hamstring problem.
Gayle has been Newcastle’s top goalscorer this season, netting 20 times so far this term.
Gayle therefore will miss all of Newcastle’s crucial promotion clashes against Brighton, Reading and Huddersfield.
His absence could not have come at a worse time, but there is still reason to keep the faith.
Aleksander Mitrovic is very much capable of filling the boots left by Gayle. So far this season Mitrovic has scored 6 goals from 9 starts, and also contributed with 2 assists. Mitrovic isn’t as prolific as Gayle, but his style of play brings another dimension to the Newcastle side.
Gayle tends to look to run in behind the opposition’s defence, however Mitrovic drops into much deeper positions to hold up the ball for team mates.
That ability to hold the ball in attacking positions may prove vital for Benitez’s side when they travel to Brighton & Huddersfield.
Aleksander Mitrovic has been speaking this week about the fans, and his aims for the rest of the season;
‘The fans are just brilliant, they make me feel at home here’
‘I want to give back to them and help this side get to the top division’
‘I want to get promoted for them and everybody as a group to enjoy it’
By Jack Barrow (@Jack_Barrow1901)
