RAFAEL BENITEZ could wait until the very last moment and fly down to South Wales in a helicopter if he is given the go-ahead to lead Newcastle United into Premier League battle at Swansea City tomorrow.

But one of Benitez’s trusty side-kicks, Francisco de Miguel Moreno, otherwise known as Paco, has reassured supporters the Champions League winning Magpies boss will still have had the required input to get the team in good shape even if he is missing.

The Newcastle manager has been advised not to be in the dug-out at Swansea after undergoing surgery on an infection in the hernia area at the start of the week. He has not been able to lead training since, despite attempts to travel back up to Tyneside from his home in the North-West.

There is still a chance Benitez will be in the dressing room at the Liberty Stadium, and he is determined to give himself as long as he can to travel later than the players just to be present at the game.

Paco, Newcastle’s fitness coach who is regarded as Benitez’s No 2 by many, said: “We don’t know (how to talk through the game if Benitez isn’t there). Maybe there is a chance he can make the game. If we know he isn’t coming we will decide then.

“Our daily work does not change too much. We are preparing things in the same way. He is more focused on the ideas and analysing situations but because we are in touch with him, he is always saying pay attention on this, this and this. So we are continuing his ideas even when he is not here.”

He added: "Obviously, Rafa is the man. Normally, the way he works and the way he does things is important for us. But I think the message is quite clear. So even if it is me or whoever, one of the staff members, they will listen in the same way. It will be the same.”

Paco is a long-term trusted confidante of what he feels and how he wants the team to play. Having known him for so long, the man who faced the media at the Benton training complex yesterday explained how the former Liverpool boss has still controlled things.

He said: “Our analyst is preparing clips of the opponents and sending the clips to him. He has our opinion also and our analysis. So we have been doing exactly the same. He’s watching for their strengths and weaknesses, like he would normally.”

Paco – who claims he does not hold any ambition to manage and enjoys being part of Benitez’s backroom team too much – revealed in the absence of Benitez there would be a collective effort to deliver pre-match team-talks at Swansea.

"Normally it is Rafa. He is the one in charge. Everyone listens to him,” said Paco. “In that case, we do not plan anything. Normally, the captain is the one who is talking to the players, is pushing a little bit.

“But there are a lot of other players who do. We are like a family, honestly. Sometimes one of them speaks, sometimes two. As soon as we realise we have to be together, any information is good."

When Benitez does name his team it will have to include at least one change because of the hamstring injury picked up by Chancel Mbemba on international duty with the DR Congo. There were reports in Africa that he was facing three months out.

But Paco, also suggesting Florian Lejeune and DeAndre Yedlin could be available, said: “Chancel is not too bad. Reading the paper it seemed like it was a bad injury. Today we don’t think so. The assessment is quite good. He will definitely miss the game but hopefully not too bad. Hopefully he will be ready for the next one.”

Newcastle also welcome Jonjo Shelvey back after suspension but Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara remain sidelined. Striker Dwight Gayle is available and should be involved after working hard in training.