RAFAEL BENITEZ is confident the FA misconduct charge hanging over Jonjo Shelvey will not affect the Newcastle United midfielder as he prepares to face Leeds United tomorrow.

The Magpies manager will not think twice about selecting Shelvey, who has been accused of using racially motivated language in a game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"Jonjo's fine," said Benitez. "He's really important to us and is a player with quality who can make a difference in games."

Benitez knows that Shelvey's experience could be crucial against in-form Leeds, whose manager Garry Monk knows Shelvey well from his time in charge of Swansea.

"It will be like a Premier League game in terms of the atmosphere," Benitez said. "There is a lot of expectation from fans and everyone around football. I think it's quite positive.

"I'm sure it will be a great atmosphere and they will be supporting their team and we will also have a lot of fans. It's the kind of game you are ready to play against a good team in the right environment.

"It's a massive game and the sort that you want to play in - and want to win."

Leeds have taken 22 points from their last ten matches and climbed into the Championship’s top six, but Benitez refuses to label it as United's toughest test so far.

He said: "I wouldn't say that, but they are in form like us and will be very tough. Brighton and Norwich were also tough tests and I expect I will face the same question in a month with another team.

"I think Garry Monk is doing pretty well, though. We played his Swansea team when I was at Napoli and beat them 3-1 at our stadium and drew 0-0 there, but it was very difficult.

"They were doing really well and I could see what he was doing then - and I can see what he is doing now. He's a good manager who is growing and will be much better in the future."

Players on international duty have all reported back without injuries and Benitez has a full squad apart from Rolando Aarons, who will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury.

Benitez said: "He was coming back from injury and working really hard. Now he has to concentrate on what he has to do after the operation and hopefully come back stronger."

Tomorrow's game will feature a tribute to Gary Speed, who died in November 2011. The Welsh midfielder played for Leeds and Newcastle in the number 11 shirt and fans of both teams will join in a minute's applause in the 11th minute.

Benitez said: "I was at another club at the time, but it is a situation that everybody understands. He was a good footballer, a big name and had the respect of everybody."