Benitez Wants More Moussa Magic

By Dominic Scurr

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez believes Moussa Sissoko can be "a really positive player for the team" over the remaining five games of the Barclays Premier League season.

The French international midfielder was handed the captain's armband and scored his first goal of the season in the Magpies' 3-0 home win against Swansea City at the weekend.

And Benitez is hoping Sissoko can play another equally important role when the Magpies take on Manchester City at St. James' Park on Tuesday (7.45pm kick-off).

"Before the (Swansea) game, I asked for a goal from him and he went and scored," explained United's boss.

"I'm really pleased for him and hopefully it will be the first of a lot.

"He can be a really positive player for the team and to play as well as he played the other day and to score a goal is massive for him and really pleasing for me.

"I chose Moussa (as captain) because he was training really well and, for me, he's a player who has a lot of influence of the French players and the rest of the team because he always trains well.

"After the game we get to see all of the data and information and he's always the best or one of the best.

"It's good for the rest of the team to see someone working so hard in every session and playing at a high level in the game.

"Hopefully he can maintain this level and the rest of the team will do the same."

Another player Benitez believes can make a big impact is Andros Townsend - who grabbed his first United goal at St. James' Park on Saturday,

"I think (Andros) can score more goals as well," Benitez continued.

"He has to realise how good he is because he has the ability and the quality to get into the box and make the difference.

"I'm really pleased for him to get his first goal (at St. James' Park) and as I said with Moussa Sissoko, hopefully there will be more to come."