ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC has been told his brace for Serbia during the international break does not guarantee him a starting spot for Newcastle United.

The powerful striker scored twice for his country against Austria at the start of the week but Rafael Benitez has admitted it does not assure him of a place at club level.

Benitez is satisfied with the progress being made by the £14m front-man but, with Dwight Gayle the preferred choice to play lone striker at the moment, Mitrovic may have to bide his time a bit longer.

The Newcastle boss said: “I watched the reaction and the games, goals, I was pleased for him to score goals and for us it was important.

“Some say that means he will play, but I am just pleased he is scoring goals and playing games. He has come back smiling. He is really focused and it is important for him to keep working hard and he needs to take his chances.

“In terms of his fitness he has been fine, the match fitness is different. You can play different players and they keep fitness week to week if they play games, but it has been more difficult for him because he missed the start.

“He has scored against QPR and he has settled down and he is more relaxed. I am confident he will build up and do well.”

Newcastle face Brentford on Saturday at St James’ Park when another 50,000 plus crowd is expected to watch; and he would like more encouragement on home soil in a bid to improve the form. They have won three and lost two in five games on Tyneside so far in the Championship.

Benitez said: “We have had good results away from home but the team can still do well at home. I am pleased with the support of the fans, hopefully they will make a difference.

“When we go away the support has been amazing, when we go at home we need 52000 who can make a big difference because we only have 3000 or so when we go away. I think they know.

“Always my message is clear that I am very pleased for them, but can everyone do a little bit more? Maybe they can make that little bit of difference. It is a win-win situation if we have the fans supporting the team.”

Newcastle will still be without Daryl Murphy and Jesus Gamez as they try to recover from injury problems. The visit of the Bees is also still too soon for Rob Elliot and Massadio Haidara, while Rolando Aarons has a foot problem.

Benitez said: “Everyone is fine after the break. Some tired, some late, but fine. They have trained all together. No problems.

“You know when you have so many players it is not easy, we keep an eye on them and we are in contact during the break, you just have to keep your fingers crossed and help them recover.”