After the loss of Ciaran Clark – an almost ever-present this term – to injury, both Grant Hanley and Chancel Mbemba have stepped in to partner captain Jamaal Lascelles in the heart of the backline.
Hanley made just his second Championship start of the calendar year in last month’s 0-0 draw at Birmingham City, and again racked up 90 minutes in United’s 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
Four days later, against Burton Albion, 22-year-old Mbemba returned at the Scot’s expense, and helped the Magpies to a first clean sheet at St. James’ Park in four attempts.
With Clark set to miss out on tomorrow’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday, Benitez is happy to be mulling over his defensive options as the Magpies bid to keep their impressive away form going.
“A lot of people are talking about that. Without Clark, we have three centre-backs, and there is less competition,” he said. “I don’t think anybody can discuss that Clark and Lascelles were doing really well for the majority of the games during the season. When I needed to make a substitution, Hanley is always very positive in the training sessions and the dressing room, and he was doing well.
“Chancel, also because of the Africa Cup of Nations, he has had less chances to be there. The last two weeks, he has been training really well, and I was really pleased with him. Because he was doing well, he has had his chance.
“Can he have an opportunity in this game? Yes, because he has been doing well, and in the last game, he was fine. I’m happy with that, and especially I am happy with his attitude.”
Opponents Wednesday ran out 1-0 winners at St. James’ Park on Boxing Day, and returned to the play-off places after seeing off already-relegated Rotherham United earlier this week.
Benitez feels that the Owls are a side with experience in their ranks, and expects Carlos Carvalhal’s charges to be in buoyant mood at Hillsborough tomorrow.
“They are a good team, they know what to do. When I talk about teams with experience in the Championship, they know what they have to do, and they know each other,” he said. “They were nearly there last year, so when you have the same structure, the same team and the same players, you know what you have to do to get points in this division.
“To go there will be tough, especially now they are in the play-off positions. We know we have to give our best, like these players are doing every week.”
