Newcastle United full-back DeAndre Yedlin has praised boss Rafael Benitez for giving him "a better understanding" of the defensive side of the game.

The 24-year-old was brought to St James' Park by Benitez in 2016 and has been used heavily in the Championship and Premier League since, featuring 22 times in the latter competition this term.

Yedlin believes that his game has improved since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur, which he puts down to the effect of working under the experienced Spanish manager for the past 18 months.

Speaking to NBC Sports, the United States international said: "It is based on what the coach likes and prefers but I think defensively I've just gotten a better understanding of when to go, when to stay, how aggressive to be and realising what is around me.

"It's also the whole understanding of the game which has become better and that comes with maturity and experience."

Yedlin has played a combined 1,829 minutes of top-flight football this term, contributing one assist from the right-hand side.