RAFA BENITEZ has challenged Newcastle United’s ‘other’ midfielders to show they deserve the chance to prove the void left by Sean Longstaff can be filled.

The Magpies will be monitoring Longstaff’s knee over the next 48 hours to determine just how bad the problem he sustained at West Ham United on Saturday is.

And while Benitez is trying to remain optimistic that the 21-year-old will not be out for the long term, the reality is that he left the London Stadium on crutches and is facing at least some time on the sidelines.

That means the Newcastle manager must come up with a way to cope without one of the club’s most promising talents when Everton travel to St James’ Park this weekend, and possibly beyond.

Senegalese midfielder Mo Diame was the man asked to replace Longstaff at West Ham for the second half, after it was deemed a reckless challenge from Rob Snodgrass had left the Magpies man with an injury not worth risking any longer.

Ki Sung-yeung is also available if Benitez would prefer to give him a call to partner Isaac Hayden in the middle of the park, while Jonjo Shelvey would be the other alternative.

Shelvey asked to play for the Newcastle Under-23s against Fulham on Friday night after being told he would not be involved against the Hammers, so it would seem he is the furthest down the pecking order. All three, though, are in the manager’s thoughts for the Everton test.

Benitez said: “We will see how they (Shelvey, Ki, Diame) compete and train, all of them, and so after we will decide.

“Obviously, to play 60 minutes was important for Shelvey, and the idea was to improve his match fitness, which hopefully it has done.

“At the beginning of the season we were playing with him (Diame) and Jonjo, so we have different options. Now we have Ki (Sung-yueng), Mo and Jonjo ready along with (Isaac) Hayden.

“Hopefully, Longstaff will be fine. But, if he’s injured, we have bodies to at least compete between them and see if we can at the very least keep the same level.”

Longstaff has been hugely impressive in the middle since being handed his Premier League chance at Chelsea on January 2.

His emergence on to the top-flight stage coincided with Newcastle’s decent run of form that has secured a six-point cushion over the relegation zone, despite losing at West Ham.

England manager Gareth Southgate is known to be considering the young gun for an international call-up, although the extent of his knee injury could ruin his chances. Newcastle expect to know more within the couple of days after further assessment.

Shelvey’s return to action for the Under-23s on Friday is at least a welcome boost for Benitez as he looks for Newcastle’s improved form to continue.

But the former Swansea midfielder still faces a challenge to work his way back into the team, with more interest in his services ahead of the summer highlighting how this could be his last year on Tyneside.

West Ham are known to be one of those clubs interested in signing the 27-year-old and the £20m valuation is not beyond them as they look to improve further under Manuel Pellegrini.

Newcastle’s priority in the next few months is to stay in the Premier League and then the future of Benitez will be determined. Once those two things are in place, the manager will then assess how he can improve his squad and he would be willing to listen to such a bid for Shelvey.