Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed that loan signing Islam Slimani has returned to parent club Leicester after suspension ended his time on Tyneside.

The Algeria international picked up a three-match ban after accepting a Football Association violent conduct charge last week.

He was one of three players to join the Magpies on loan in January along with Sparta Prague goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and Chelsea winger Kenedy, and Benitez is hoping some of them will return next season.

He said: “We have had three players on loan: Slimani has been training today and he is free to go now because he will not be involved in the next games; Kenedy is a player that we like, he has been doing really well and we have to wait and come back and maybe talk with Chelsea about his future.

“Dubravka is an easy one because we have the option. It’s not a secret that we are happy with him, so we will see how we finish. But that is an easy one.”