CHRISTIAN ATSU has called for Newcastle United to maintain the mean streak that earned a first victory since promotion when they head for South Wales on Sunday – possibly without Rafael Benitez.

The Ghana international, whose country is on the verge of missing out on qualification for next year’s World Cup after collecting five points from four games, is back on Tyneside after a double-header against Congo.

Newcastle’s preparations for the trip to Swansea City have been hit by the news defender Chancel Mbemba will be missing after suffering a hamstring problem on the hour for DR Congo against Tunisia on Tuesday, which sources in Africa claim could keep him out for three months.

The absence of Mbemba means a hole needs to be filled at left-back at Swansea, particularly with Paul Dummett also sidelined with a similar problem. Ciaran Clark, who has performed well in the middle, seems the favourite to move over.

There is also the added frustration of Benitez being advised not to take charge of the Swansea game, having attempted to travel back to the North-East yesterday only to have to turn back because he was in too much discomfort.

The Newcastle boss, who has not taken training this week, is recovering from surgery on an infection in Cheshire and had hoped to be back in the North-East in time to lead a session today. That looks unlikely, having had to head back home.

Regardless of who forms part of the defence at the Liberty Stadium, or if Benitez is in the dug-out, there is a need for Newcastle to show the same character they did against West Ham 13 days ago.

Atsu was part of that Newcastle side which comfortably overcame the Hammers to claim a first victory of the campaign - and now they need to conjure up a way to defeat Swansea and avoid any further negativity from a disappointing final week of the transfer window.

The £6.2m winger, signed from Chelsea, said: “We're happy that we won our last game going into the internationals. We made our fans very happy and also got a clean sheet, which was a fantastic result.

"We needed to win it. We lost two league games in a row and were unhappy about it. We wanted to win. You could see the determination on the pitch. Everyone was fighting. Everyone was very happy, and we have confidence to move forward again.

"We were very aggressive and won the second balls. We were compact, and didn't give them chances to create for themselves. We made things difficult for them. We had a very good counter-attack and created a lot of chances. We have to continue in that way.”

Atsu was in and out of the Newcastle side in the promotion winning season in the Championship, but Benitez still saw enough to persuade him to make the loan move a permanent one.

Atsu has been one of the bright spots in all of the Premier League matches so far – and he is focused on proving himself at that level having been unable to breakthrough at Chelsea.

He has had plenty of loans spells, including with Bournemouth and Everton in the Premier League. The move to St James’ Park has brought the best out of him.

Atsu said: “I'm very happy that I'm playing week in, week out. There's a lot of competition in the game, so I just need to work hard and try to compete with my colleagues.

“I'm also happy for my friends on the pitch. Anytime I'm on the pitch I want the club to win. I want to do something for the club. For me, it's very important that I keep working.

"We have a lot of talent. We have great players who are playing also wide, the same position as I play. I need to push myself to another level.”

Atsu is expected to retain his place in the side at Swansea, where Benitez will have to shuffle his pack because of Mbemba’s problem. Jonjo Shelvey is also back from suspension, but unlikely to start.

Mbemba’s blow is the biggest set-back. It is understood he will be out for at least a month with the hamstring injury, although it could reach three months. Depending on how he progresses.

The 23-year-old suffered the injury in the 2-2 draw with Tunisia and Congo’s team doctor Pierre Bungo Kakala has suggested he will miss the international with Libya on October 7.