The video will start in 8 Cancel

Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Islam Slimani has been ruled out of Newcastle United’s mid-season friendly game with Royal Antwerp.

The on loan Leicester City striker will still link up with Algeria next week and Newcastle will be helpless to prevent him from appearing for his country if the Algerian Football Federation deem him fit for friendlies with Tanzania and Iran.

Slimani has been suffering with a thigh injury but he could still figure against Huddersfield Town at St James’ Park .

Benitez told ChronicleLive: “He’s been training today with the fitness coach.

(Image: Newcastle United)

“He was not training with the team so he will not be part of the team tomorrow.

“Islam is progressing with our medical staff and we are talking with the medical staff of his national team so it makes sense.

“Hopefully he will progress in the days ahead.

“It is not ideal but we can’t stop them or stop him playing (for Algeria).

“At the same time for him we want him to play to be sure he is a little bit better if he has to play against Huddersfield.”

(Image: Newcastle United)

When asked if Slimani arrived carrying an injury after arriving from the Foxes, Benitez said: “He had the problem before.

“We thought it was fine and he was telling us it was fine.

“He was pushing himself a little bit but he was still not fully fit.

“We needed to be cautious with that so we went back and started again.

“We started slowly just in case.”