Hot Molineux reception assured for Jonjo Shelvey after racially abusing Wolves' Romain Saiss

With club captain Jamaal Lascelles benched for Saturday's 1-0 victory over Derby County, Rafa Benitez handed the skipper's armband to Shelvey – a scenario expected to be repeated at Molineux tomorrow.

The six-times capped England midfielder can expect a hot reception after it was proven he had abused Moroccan midfielder Saiss – calling him an 'Arab' or 'Arabic' '****' and/or 'p***k'.

The incident was sparked when Newcastle player Vurnon Anita tackled Ivan Cavaleiro in the 87th minute. Saiss waved an imaginary red card (Anita was indeed sent off) and a melee followed in which players from both teams were alleged to have traded insults.

Shelvey was subsequently banned for five matches and fined £100,000.

Although he and Newcastle chose not to appeal, it left a sour taste with Benitez, who immediately handed Shelvey the captain's armband on his return from suspension against Blues in the third round of the FA Cup.

On the pitch, Newcastle have issues in attack with top scorer Dwight Gayle struggling with a hamstring injury.

Gayle has netted 20 goals in 22 Championship appearances this season, but has not featured since a 2-1 triumph over Brentford last month.

His replacements, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy, have just five league goals between them.

Meanwhile, it wouldn't be Newcastle without some boardroom drama to worry the fans, and there was even some suggestion towards the end of the transfer window that Rafa Benitez would walk away.

He was reportedly at odds with Mike Ashley over available funds in January, but quashed that speculation and is not just aiming for automatic promotion – he wants the Championship trophy.

Benitez told the Newcastle Chronicle: "If you win the title it means you are there (Premier League).

"If you try to be first then you might be closer to being second.

"If you try to just be second, then maybe you'll end up being close, and being third. We just have to try to be first."

Newcastle are unbeaten in four matches in the league, taking advantage of Brighton's recent stutter to wrestle back control at the summit.