Rafa Benitez believes Islam Slimani has taken a risk joining up with the Algerian national team.

The striker has not featured once for the Magpies arriving from Leicester City on loan in January. But remarkably, the 29-year-old has committed to being apart of Algeria's squad for friendlies against Iran and Tanzania.

"What we have to do and what we want to do is be sure that he's fit, And if he can play with the national team a little bit, that is a risk, because he's not playing for us," Benitez said of Slimani.

"But if they decide to play him, it is because he will be fit. Hopefully, he won't have any problems. It is something we know we cannot control."

Slimani joined his United teammates for their four-day training camp in Spain, but trained away from the squad as he continues to recover from a thigh issue.

And Benitez has warned he will not walk easily into his side once he is fit.

"If he's fine, it means he will have more chances to compete against the others," Benitez added.

"If they are doing well, he has to be better than them. It's not as if he will come and go straight [into our team] and make the difference.

"The others are doing well, and he has to compete with them. It's positive, because we have more competition in one position."