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Rafa Benitez has already adjusted Newcastle United’s training schedule since taking over at the club’s Benton training ground – and he hopes Aleksandar Mitrovic can benefit quickly from the change.

The Spaniard is impressed by Mitrovic and feels he can bring goals to Newcastle’s struggling side. The Serbian was dropped by Steve McClaren for his last game in charge against AFC Bournemouth, but could be back in contention for the trip to Leicester.

When asked about Mitrovic’s role in the weeks ahead, Benitez told the Chronicle: “We have had him doing some specific training with the strikers, some finishing sessions.

“We know he has the potential. Now we have to give him the confidence to make the difference. He can score goals but he’s not at the moment.

“I have watched him training and know he will score. We must give him confidence, movement and tips. Maybe he can improve his game.”

How many of these first games for NUFC managers do you remember?

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Benitez, though, made it clear that the problems at Newcastle are not down to individuals and feels the team’s fluidity can return in time.

He added: “We have to improve in both areas, defending and attacking. If you improve defending maybe it will be easier to score more goals.

“If you score more goals it’s easier to defend because you have more confidence and the other teams lose confidence.

“In football it can be so complicated and so simple at the same time. We have to score but we have to improve the defence.”

Watch our wrap up video of what Rafa Benitez said in his Chronicle interview