Serbia boss: Rafa Benitez has less confidence in Mitrovic

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Aleksandar Mitrovic is top scorer in Group D with six goals so far for Serbia
Mitrovic's club side Newcastle were prepared to let him leave this summer
Serbia boss Slavoljub Muslin thinks Newcastle aren't getting the best from him
Republic of Ireland host Serbia in a World Cup qualifying clash on Tuesday

Published: 18:49 EDT, 4 September 2017 | Updated: 20:39 EDT, 4 September 2017

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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 in Dublin on Tuesday night 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.

Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates with Filip Kostic after scoring Serbia's third against Moldova

Mitrovic has been suspended for three matches for elbowing West Ham's Manuel Lanzini

Such indiscipline is part of the reason Benitez does not trust Mitrovic and he was willing to sell the £13million forward during the summer had he found a suitable replacement.

Muslin, however, believes Newcastle are not getting the best out of the former Anderlecht man.

‘Maybe the system we play with three attackers suits him better,’ said the Serbia manager.

‘Perhaps the coach in Newcastle doesn’t have as much confidence in him as I do. He is our first centre forward. Perhaps he feels more comfortable playing for the national team than he does for his own club.’