Neil Warnock has earned praise from Rafa Benitez as the two managers continue to try to defuse the tension between them.

Warnock takes his Cardiff City side to Newcastle United on Saturday, where Benitez is enjoying life at the top of the Championship.

The two have history – dating back to 2007, when Warnock was furious with Benitez for fielding a weakened Liverpool team, a choice he felt undermined his Sheffield United side as they slid to relegation from the Premier League.

The pair will be reunited at St James’s Park and Warnock has already spoken warmly about Benitez and the Spaniard’s decision to stay at the club in the wake of last season’s relegation.

Now, Benitez has joined the love-in by declaring his admiration for the job Warnock is doing at Cardiff.

“We know it is a team (Cardiff) that has changed a little bit, they have a manager with great experience in the Championship and we expect a tough game,” said Benitez.

“Everyone knows they are improving: their attitude, their motivation, they won against Nottingham Forest and did really well.

“I am sure he will be wanting to play in front of our 52,000 fans and he will have a plan.

“He is clever, he will try to stop us playing our football – they will try to play the type of football they want to play: maybe counter-attack, maybe pressing high.

“We have been working on different options and hopefully we can keep our level.”

Asked about Benitez, Warnock had said: “I have to say how much I admire him.

“What’s gone on in the past will not go away. I was disappointed at the time, but that’s gone. I’ve got nothing but admiration for him, to stick with it.

“To be relegated and then to stay … he’ll be on a good salary, but it’s not money that motivates you at this stage of our career. He wants to win and see the project through.

“I was surprised he stayed but it shows what he thinks of the club. He was at Real Madrid two years ago, he went down but he stuck with them.

Cardiff are unlikely to risk Rickie Lambert as the former England striker recovers from a nasty leg injury.

Lambert needed internal and external stitches after colliding with Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic two weeks ago, but the 34-year-old should return to action after the international break.

Warnock says he has a few decisions to make following some illness at the training ground this week.

Frederic Gounongbe and Kenneth Zohore hope to be included in the matchday squad after scoring in the under-23 side’s 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in midweek.

Benitez will make a late decision on Dwight Gayle ahead of the game.

Gayle is close to recovering from a hamstring injury and has trained this week but Benitez must decide if the striker is ready for competitive action.

Midfielder Matt Ritchie will miss the game as he serves a one-match suspension for picking up five yellow cards.

Newcastle are three points clear at the top of the Championship table after registering six league victories in a row.