Serbia boss Slavoljub Muslin says Aleksandar Mitrovic feels more appreciated playing for his country than he does under Rafa Benitez at Newcastle.
The striker is first choice for Serbia and is top scorer in Group D with six goals. Indeed, only Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Romelu Lukaku have netted more than Mitrovic in World Cup qualifying.
The 22-year-old will lead the line against Republic of Ireland here in Dublin tonight but it will be his last outing of September, for he is suspended for Newcastle’s next three matches following an elbow on West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini last month.