Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu is line to replace Matt Ritchie when Newcastle face Everton on Wednesday.

Ritchie picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in a 3-0 defeat to West Ham on Saturday, meaning the midfielder is now suspended for the trip to Goodison Park.

The most obvious move for Benitez would be to simply start either Christian Atsu or Jacob Murphy in Ritchie’s place.

The fellow wingers would offer a like-for-like replacement, and both arguably have more pace and trickery than the Scotsman. Although in the past they have failed to create as much end product.

Atsu would add more unpredictability, if slightly less goal threat than Murphy. Competition for places in this Newcastle  attack is fierce so the Ghanaian cannot choke if the chance presents itself to impress.