PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Christian Atsu - Ghana star rested for FA Cup win

Newcastle United's Christian Atsu (left) speaks with Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez

Monday Jan 08, 2018. 13:00

Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu played no part in Newcastle United’s FA Cup win this past weekend, though he will surely be back in action when the team returns to Premier League action this weekend.

The Magpies moved into the next round of England’s premier cup competition thanks to a 3-1 win over Luton Town on Saturday evening at St James’ Park.

Atsu, along with the likes of Robert Elliot, Deandre Yedlin and Mohamed Diame (who appeared as a substitute) were rested from the starting line-up by Rafael Benitez.

Yet it is expected that the Black Stars attacker will return to the United team when they resume their Premier League campaign with a must-win match at home to Swansea City on Saturday, 13 January.

Atsu’s side find themselves in the relative safety of 13th place on the Premier League log, but in reality they are just six-points above last-placed Swansea and cannot afford to allow one of the ‘basement’ dwellers to make up significant ground.