Islam Slimani has taken advantage of the two-day break handed to Newcastle United players to return to Algeria to be with his family and fast-track his return to fitness.
With the Magpies out of the FA Cup, Rafa Benitez gave players permission to take the weekend off. And according to a report on Algeria Federation Federation website, the forward has been training alone in Sidi Moussa - the training complex for the national team - as he looks to get back to fitness.
Slimani has been hampered by a thigh injury and so is his chances to make his debut for Newcastle since his winter transfer deadline day from Leicester City.