Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United will look to get back to winning ways in the Championship on Friday when they host Leeds United at St James’ Park (7.45pm kick-off).

The Magpies went down 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday last weekend to lose top spot in the division to Brighton, but with a ten point gap to third place Huddersfield Town and with just five games to go, it would require something quite incredible for the Magpies not to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

However, they’ll look to put more daylight between themselves and the chasing pack with victory over Garry Monk’s Leeds on Friday, who themselves are eyeing up a return to the Premier League next season.

The Yorkshire outfit are fifth in the division having won 22 of their 41 league games, and got back to winning ways last weekend with an easy 3-0 success over Preston.

Before then, Monk’s men had won just one of their five games, but that win at Elland Road last time out means they are five points clear of seventh place Fulham with just five matches to go.

Nonetheless, Benitez’s Magpies will be confident of recording a 27th league victory of the campaign on Friday, although the former Real Madrid boss may have to make a few changes to his starting eleven.

Thus, here are THREE Newcastle stars who deserve a chance against Leeds…

Christian Atsu

Benitez would likely have seen Leeds in recent weeks, and one thing he’ll surely look to exploit is their defensive vulnerabilities against pace.

And that is why winger Christian Atsu may be recalled to the starting line-up at St James’ Park on Friday.

The Ghana international came off the bench in their 2-1 loss at Sheffield Wednesday last weekend for his 28th league appearance of the campaign, albeit only 11 have been starts.

However, his pace and trickery is sure to cause the Leeds backline some issues, and if he builds up a head of steam, he’ll be very tough to defend against on Friday.

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Dwight Gayle looks set to miss the next few weeks after being forced off with injury against Sheffield Wednesday last time out, which opens up the forward role for someone in the Magpies squad.

And one man who could look to take advantage of Gayle’s misfortune is Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Serbia international has managed just eight Championship starts this term such has been the great form of former Crystal Palace striker Gayle, yet he has still netted four goals and laid on three assists in just 820 minutes of league action.

And there’s no doubt that, on his day, the 22-year-old is a seriously good striker who can cause many defenders problems, and should he get the nod on Friday, Magpies fans will hope to see the best of Mitrovic against Leeds.

Daryl Murphy

If Benitez decides against recalling Mitrovic, he could opt for former Ipswich Town striker Daryl Murphy to lead the line against Monk’s Leeds.

The Republic of Ireland international moved to St James’ Park last summer after three excellent years at Portman Road, although he had to wait until January for his Championship debut for the Magpies in their loss at Blackburn on January 2.

However, since then he has reminded us all why he is one of the most prolific strikers in the second tier with four goals and an assist in 11 appearances, which included a goal in a man-of-the-match display against Huddersfield last month.

Murphy hasn’t netted in his last three appearances for Benitez’s men, but may well lead the line in Gayle’s absence against Leeds.