Newcastle United news: Ritchie ban blow for Benitez, Mitrovic opens up

The club has won all six of this month's league and cup fixtures.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored both of Newcastle's goals against Preston on Saturday.

And the striker has revealed why he never considering quitting the club in the wake of last season's relegation.

Mitrovic, starting in the absence through injury of leading scorer Dwight Gayle, feels he has given United manager Rafa Benitez an "easy" decision to make for Saturday's home game against Cardiff City.

Benitez has also reflected on a memorable month for the club.

We also have writer Miles Starforth's match analysis from Deepdale here.

The game, however, did come at a cost, with winger Matt Ritchie having picked up his fifth booking of the season.

Ritchie's yellow card means he will miss the Cardiff game through suspenson.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been linked with an £18million move for a Newcastle defender.