Rafa Benitez reveals his thinking on Adam Armstrong's future at Newcastle

Adam Armstrong's short-term future is still in the balance as Rafa Benitez considers what's best for him in the long term.
Adam ArmstrongAdam Armstrong
Adam Armstrong

Benitez could yet loan the Newcastle United forward out this season.

Armstrong came off the bench against Fulham at Craven Cottage last week.

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And the 19-year-old could again be involved against Huddersfield Town at St James’s Park this afternoon.

But United manager Benitez wants Armstrong – who scored 20 goals for League One Coventry City last season – to play a lot of football this season, and that could mean another spell away from Newcastle.

Benitez said: “I said to him that he will continue here and we will make a decision.

“We have to consider each individual, and we have to think about our young players.”

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Winger Rolando Aarons this week signed a new five-year deal at United.

And the contract for Aarons underlined the club’s long-term thinking, according to Benitez, who says a decision on Armstrong could depend on Newcastle’s remaining transfer business.

“We have signed an extension for Rolando Aarons,” he said.

“We need to think about the future, not just that we are doing something now, but also the future of the club is protected.

“Adam is someone who will need to play.

“He will need to learn from experienced players, and sometimes it is sensible to loan him, but we will see.

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“At the moment it’s to see whether we will bring someone else in, then we will see.”

Meanwhile, new signings Mohamed Diame and Ciaran Clark are in Benitez’s squad for the Huddersfield game.

He said: “We will change something, and they will have a chance, for sure.”