Islam Slimani targets permanent Newcastle move and praises Benítez

• Algeria striker said he felt ‘a good feeling’ with Newcastle manager
• Slimani hopes to overcome thigh strain to face Manchester United

Islam Slimani is embarking on a three-fold mission at Newcastle. The Algeria striker wants to score the goals needed to keep Rafael Benítez’s side in the Premier League, turn his current loan arrangement from Leicester City into a formal transfer and wear his new club’s famous No 9 shirt.

For the moment Slimani is content with the No 13 he also sports for Algeria but a forward hoping to overcome a thigh strain in time to make his debut at home to Manchester United on Sunday has different long-term plans.

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