Allardyce 'mind games' make no difference to Newcastle - Benitez

Football Soccer - Sunderland v Arsenal - Barclays Premier League - Stadium of Light - 24/4/16 Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce reacts Reuters / Phil Noble Livepic

(Reuters) - Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce's remarks about local rivals Newcastle United having an easy job when they face Crystal Palace on Saturday will have no effect on the Magpies' players, manager Rafael Benitez said on Friday.

Allardyce believes Palace will not try as hard as they should to beat Newcastle this weekend as they will be celebrating reaching the FA Cup final and will not be eager to put their bodies on the line for fear of picking up injuries.