However Benitez, who has been delighted with his contribution to date, wants him to carry on what he has been doing as the Magpies look to secure their top-flight status and is confident his position will be resolved as a result.

The Spaniard said: "We knew him before. We knew he could be fine for the way we wanted to play. I was pleased with him and I have been talking to him about what he is thinking.

"He is clear on wanting to score goals. I have talked with him about football, I asked him about what was going on. We had the same message, it is to carry on scoring goals.

"If he scores goals, it will be easier for him. It is better for him not to think about the future and just to score goals."

Newcastle will continue their quest for the remaining points they need – they currently sit in 13th place on 35, seven clear of the drop zone – at Arsenal on Monday evening.

They will do so without central defender Fabian Schar, who is suspended after reaching 10 bookings for the season.

However, the Switzerland international is unlikely to have been able to play anyway after being knocked unconscious during his country's 2-0 Euro 2020 qualifying victory in Georgia last Saturday.

Schar was allowed to complete the game despite losing consciousness, sparking concern over his welfare, although Benitez was relaxed about the incident.

He said: "We take these things very, very seriously and we tried to do as we have to do. He had the test after over there and then he had another test over here and then we try to be sure that he is fine, and it's okay, so I will not create something really important for that."

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