Newcastle United are seeking to withdraw Christian Atsu from this weekend's World Cup qualifier against Egypt claiming injury by saying the Ghana star is “feeling something”.

The English Premier League claim Atsu suffered the unexplained injury during Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, condemning the club to a second successive league defeat.

This is the latest excuse by the Magpies to deny the Black Stars of using the player after withdrawing the winger for the previous match against Uganda in Kampala last month.

Atsu, selected by Ghana for the November 12 World Cup qualifier against Egypt, also left the field after “feeling something”.

United manager Benitez said: “Jamaal, will have his ankle (assessed), with Atsu, he felt something, but it’s too early to tell.”

The Black Stars will play Egypt in the dead rubber World Cup qualifier after the Pharaohs secured the group's sole ticket to the global tournament in Russia.

However, with coach Kwesi Appiah rebuilding the Black Stars the Ghana manager would be keen on all his invited players to defeat Egypt and absence of Atsu could spark some anger.