OWEN Coyle believes the lack of playing time for former Rovers captain Grant Hanley at Newcastle United since his summer move illustrates the strength of Rafael Benitez’s squad.

Hanley joined the Magpies from Rovers in the summer for £5.5million, but hasn’t started a league game since their opening day defeat to Fulham on August 5, and didn’t even make the matchday squad for Sunday’s win over Leeds United.

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The 25-year-old has made three substitute appearances in the league and three starts in the EFL Cup and will be hoping to force his way back in to the fold for the visit of his former club, having played 200 times for Rovers before his summer departure.

“It shows the strength of Newcastle’s squad that Grant, who we all know is a very good player and a really nice young man, has found himself on the bench and only started a few games,” Coyle said.

“But football can change quickly. In Grant’s case, when you are out of the team you have to make sure you are working your socks off on the training ground so when the chance presents itself you are ready to take the chance and stay in the team, irrespective of what club you are at.”

Newcastle are on a club record equalling run of nine consecutive wins in all competitions following a win over Leeds last time out and Coyle knows they will present a stern test, regardless of who is in their team tomorrow.

Coyle added: “They made a number of changes last week from the team which won previous to that and they may do again.

“When you look through their team they have great players, (Dwight) Gayle is in tremendous form, (Matt) Ritchie and (Yoan) Gouffran can pop up from the wide areas, (Jonjo) Shelvey is a terrific player, and (Jack) Colback, so when you go through their team, these are bona fide Premier League players.

“But we will be ready for any eventuality and we are looking forward to the game.”