Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu faces a tough challenge at Newcastle United next season after manager Rafael Benitez revealed he is ready to use Brazilian winger Kenedy more regularly.

Christian Atsu struggled at the tail end of last season with injuries and form losing his position to the on-loan Chelsea winger.

According to the chronicle, the Spanish Coach has stated his intention of keeping the Brazilian as his first choice.

With the Brazilian back at Stamford Bridge, Atsu might be hoping that he can take back that first team place, but if Rafael Benitez’s reported pledge is anything to go by, then the Newcastle man’s career at St James’ Park is dead in the water.

He is the first man in the firing line after being axed in favour of the 22-year-old and the comments suggest Benitez is looking for a new winger who is an improvement on the current options.

The arrival of another wide man, Kenedy or otherwise, is only bad news for the 57-cap international, and Benitez’s pledge to try and convince the Chelsea winger to come back leaves his future looking bleak.