RAFAEL BENITEZ has warned Newcastle United’s players to be wary of ‘dangerous’ Barnsley when they look to climb to the top of the Championship on Tuesday night.

The Magpies are a point shy of leaders Norwich City after defeating Brentford on Saturday and know they can dethrone the Canaries by winning at Oakwell tomorrow.

Newcastle skipper Jamaal Lascelles has overcome the bug that forced him off against the Bees and Benitez is looking for his team win for the fourth game in a row.

But the Newcastle boss believes Barnsley will be a real threat to the promotion favourites in South Yorkshire.

Benitez said: “Watching the clips, preparing the game, they are a good team, they create chances, score goals, they play with a very high tempo, and hopefully I am wrong.

“We know the Championship is a very difficult league. I remember watching them a few weeks ago, I was impressed so I think it will be tough.

“It is important, when you play two in a week, that you start with a win and we have done that. Pleased that we won, we are where we are. We don’t have too much time to enjoy it and we have to focus on Tuesday.

“It’s a feeling that we have confidence in the things we are doing at the moment. I have told the players this is a very dangerous game. We can’t go there over confident believing we will win because the other team is scoring goals, and not conceding too many, but they are dangerous because they are scoring goals.”

Benitez has paid tribute to goalkeeper Karl Darlow for his recent displays after reclaiming his place ahead of summer signing Matz Sels. The manager feels the situation is proof to the others that everyone can earn a spot under him if they work hard.

“Every player in every team has to realise that if they don’t play they must keep working hard to change the manager’s mind,” said Benitez. “Karl was training well, Matz is training well now and the competition is good for the team.

“They are professional, but if they have to be ready to do well. I can understand any player not playing will be disappointed, but they have to respect the teammates, they have to be sure they keep working hard and be ready when they are needed.

“Competition is strong in every position but the keepers are always different. They have to wait until you change the keeper. I prefer to have this problem. We have competition.

“We have not changed too many players in the last few games, but I like to rotate and we have to protect our players. We want to keep some in, sometimes I will even change it if players are doing well.

“It’s just to make sure you manage the squad. If we win then it’s fantastic, if we lose then the manager will make a mistake.”