Jamaal Lascelles isn't guaranteed a start Jamaal Lascelles had been sidelined with a knee since the first pre-season game against Heart of Midlothian.
But the club's captain came off the bench at the AOK Stadium. And the defender should now be fit to line up against Tottenham Hotspur on August 13.
However, Benitez has a decision to make.
Summer signing Florian Lejeune has impressed in pre-season, as has Ciaran Clark, who was outstanding in the Championship.
And Lascelles knows he is not guaranteed a start against Tottenham.