Benitez concern for Magpies due to surgery

Cape Town - Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez could miss the trip to Swansea on Sunday as he is reportedly still suffering from the after-effects of surgery.

The Spaniard took advantage of the international break to see to a problem that was believed to have been caused by a hernia operation he had two years ago.

Benitez went under the knife in Cheshire on Friday and was absent from training on Monday through to Thursday as he continues to recover.

According to the Chronicle, though, the 57-year-old was on route to Tyneside on Thursday morning before having to turn around after suffering from pain in the car.

Benitez will not be taking Friday's pre-match press conference as a result, with Paco set to fill in for his compatriot amid doubts over his attendance at the Liberty Stadium this weekend.

Meanwhile Dutch international Siem De Jong ended his injury-plagued three-year spell at Newcastle Unitedby re-signing for Dutch giants Ajax, the English club announced.

The 28-year-old attacking midfielder - who suffered a collapsed lung and a ruptured thigh muscle among other injuries after moving to England for £6 million in 2014 - joins French striker Emmanuel Riviere in being moved on by Benitez.