Boss Benitez reckons he can get more out of fellow Real Madrid old boy Joselu than Stoke counterpart Mark Hughes did, and the player says he will celebrate if he scores against old friends.
Joselu is expected to lead the line for the Magpies, and is happy with his switch to Tyneside after a difficult summer.
He said: “I know the players and manager at Stoke. They have potential and good players.
“It won’t be strange playing my old friends at Stoke because I only have my mind on Newcastle. It was my last team, for two years, and you have emotions for them. But that is over.
“Some fans supported me well and trusted me, but I had to leave the club.
“I am a striker and I am always happy when I score and the emotion is always there. Ask any striker. If I score a goal it is a goal and is important!”
Joselu is pleased Benitez will return to the dug-out this weekend after his hernia operation and illness kept him away from last Sunday's win at Swansea.
He added: “It is a boost. We are happy because the manager is the boss and we need him and the players need him. The rest of the staff also wanted him back. We only hope for good things from his operation.”
Joselu said: “I am happy with my start here. It is fast moving. I enjoy the city and my team-mates and staff. After a month, I can only say good things about the club.
"I wanted to make a quick impact.
"We didn’t start as we wanted and then we played two wins in a row. I am involved in the team and have scored, but the important thing is staying together every game.