Good news - Rafa Benitez set to be handed DOUBLE boost ahead of crucial Liverpool clash
Ayoze Perez is winning his battle to be fit for Saturday night's clash with Liverpool according to the Chronicle - while Jamaal Lascelles also looks set to return after missing out at Brighton.
It's emerged today that the club are 'growing increasingly confident' that Perez will be OK for this weekend's game at St James' Park, with it being a huge boost for Benitez to have both him and Lascelles back in full training today.
The Chronicle have confirmed that the Spaniard has been able to 'move more freely' over the past few days, stating that the club's coaching staff expect him to be ready to start on Saturday despite him limping off in our 1-1 draw at Brighton.
As you can see by the pictures above, both Lascelles (who missed the Brighton game through 'illness') and Perez were spotted in training today:
With us set to be without Almiron and up against a title-chasing Liverpool side with free-scoring Sadio Mane and Mo Salah in attack, having both Perez and Lascelles fit could be crucial to our hopes at both ends of the pitch.
Given how toothless we looked in attack after he was subbed off, Perez's return could be key - with him scoring 8 goals in his last 10 games, including 5 in his last 3 starts at St James' Park.
Predicted NUFC XI vs Liverpool - (5-4-1) - Dubravka - Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie - Atsu, Hayden, Shelvey, Perez - Rondon.
