Rafa Benitez names FOUR players who could fill in for Matt Ritchie at Newcastle

The Newcastle United winger is suspended for tomorrow's Championship game against Cardiff City.

Ritchie picked up an automatic one-game ban after being shown his fifth booking of the season in last weekend's 2-1 win over Preston North End.

United manager Benitez says he must choose between Christian Atsu, Ayoze Perez, DeAndre Yedlin and Vurnon Anita.

“The competition is so good here," said Benitez. "It could be Atsu, Perez, Yedlin further up or Anita. It could be anyone who starts, and whoever dopes I expect them to do well, because the team is doing well."

Ritchie, booked for a late foul at Deepdale, has told of his frustration at missing a game for the Championship leaders.

But Benitez said: “In football, these things can happen.

"Ritchie is an important player for us, but we have four or five players who can do well in that position."