Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez will miss Premier League clash at Swansea as he continues recovery from a procedure on a hernia infection
- Rafael Benitez has turned home on three attempts to attend Newcastle training
- The Toon face Swansea in the Premier League on Sunday at the Liberty Stadium
- The 57-year-old has been recovering from a procedure on a hernia infection
- Benitez was forced to undergo the procedure after a previous hernia operation
- In his absence, his coaching staff will take charge of Newcastle in Wales
Newcastle United have confirmed that manager Rafael Benitez will be miss Sunday's Premier League clash with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.
Sportsmail reported this week that the 57-year-old has been recovering from a procedure on an infection from a recent hernia operation and has been absent from training on three occasions.
The club have released an official statement, which read: 'The team will be led by Rafa's coaching staff, who will be in contact with the manager throughout matchday.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez will miss his side's clash with Swansea today
The Toon's made the announcement on Twitter and have stated that the coaching staff will take charge of their Premier League trip to Wales in the 57-year-old's absence
'Everyone at the club wishes Rafa a speedy recovery. Share your messages using #GetWellSoonRafa.'
The Spaniard, who guided Newcastle to an immediate return to the top flight last season, had the procedure on Monday to address an infection resulting from an earlier hernia operation, and as of Friday had tried three times to make the journey from his home in the north-west for Tyneside, only to be forced to turn back in pain.
Newcastle are currently 16th in the Premier League and with just one win to their name - which was their last Premier League outing thumping West Ham 3-0 - ahead of what could be later seen as a crucial six-pointer.
But his absence couldn't have come at a worse time for Newcastle, with points needed in the coming weeks against Stoke and at Brighton, followed by a visit from Liverpool before the next international break.
Newcastle claimed their first win of the season against West Ham at the end of August
Benitez also missed his pre-match press conference on Friday, assistant manager Miguel Moreno took his place.
'It will be Rafa's decision,' he insisted. 'But also he is taking into consideration our feelings, I think in this case even more because he hasn't seen the players training and Rafa normally has this feeling for the momentum of everybody.
'Because he doesn't have this feeling before his eyes, he will in this case be more comfortable saying, 'Okay, what do you think?' And we will decide together.'
In Benitez's absence, the Toon's coaching staff will take charge of the team's visit to Wales but are planning to maintain constant contact with the manager while he watches the game from home.
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