FEDERICO FERNANDEZ is confident Rafael Benitez’s methodical training-ground approach will enable him to make a major contribution to Newcastle United’s defensive efforts this season.

The Magpies received a major boost yesterday when scans confirmed DeAndre Yedlin had not suffered a major knee injury in last weekend’s defeat to Tottenham, but with the full-back still to return to full training, Benitez could still be forced into defensive changes for Saturday’s trip to Cardiff City.

Fernandez was not considered for the Spurs game because he only completed his £6m switch from Swansea City on transfer-deadline day, but having trained all week, the Argentinian centre-half could find himself making his Newcastle debut in two days’ time.

He already boasts extensive experience of working with Benitez as he was managed by the current Newcastle boss during his time with Italian club Napoli.

He still regards his spell in Serie A as the best period of his career, and while his four years with Swansea might not have gone as planned, he is confident rekindling his relationship with Benitez will enable him to play a starring role at the heart of the Magpies’ back four.

“He (Benitez) is great,” said Fernandez. “We did very well together at Napoli and after four years, we are back together again. I know how he works, I know his staff and I know how he can improve players and I still think he can improve me.

“One of the big points of Rafa is the work he does on the training ground. He keeps improving individuals and the team so I am happy to be working with him again.

“From what I have seen so far, he is still a similar manager to what he was then. It is the same kind of training, and he is the same kind of person too.

“But, obviously, he has more experience. He has to work differently in different countries, but it is always great to work with him.”

Having suffered relegation with Swansea last season, Fernandez was offered a number of different opportunities this summer.

He could have moved to Spain and was also offered the chance of returning to his native South America, but Benitez’s involvement at St James’ Park meant Newcastle was always going to be his first port of call once the Magpies confirmed their interest.

“Rafa did not have to say much to make me come,” he said. “He kept on stressing the team spirit we have here in the dressing room. I knew that if I signed for Newcastle, I was joining a great team with great fans so I did not need much motivation to stay in the Premier League.

“Rafa is always enthusiastic. He expends a lot of energy every day trying to improve things, trying to make the club and team better. I can see he is really motivated.”

Benitez received some good news yesterday when Yedlin’s injury was confirmed as only a minor concern. The right-back fell awkwardly in the closing stages of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Spurs, but a series of scans have revealed only minimal damage.

Meanwhile, Henri Saivet should finally complete a season-long loan to Turkish side Bursaspor in the next 24 hours.