Benitez buries the hatchet with Ashley

RAFA BENITEZ has called a truce in his war of words with newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

The manager was left frustrated by Ashley’s reluctance to back him in the transfer market as the hierarchy refused to sanction late moves for Liverpool defender Ragnar Klavan and Stoke left back Erik Pieters.

newcastle made a £21million profit this summer and Benitez cannot understand why the club did not allow him to spend more. Seven players arrived but the Spaniard believes the squad is still short. He has now shelved contract talks on a deal which expires in less than 12 months.

Supporters, who were angered further yesterday by confirmation of Sports Direct owner Ashley’s £90m purchase of House of Fraser, will protest against him at today’s home game with Tottenham. It comes at the end of a week in which the players refused to fulfil media commitments amid a row with Ashley over bonuses — which has now been resolved.

But Benitez says he wants to draw a line under the recent controversies. ‘I am a fighter, so I like to fight,’ he said. ‘I have to try to do my best. I could see in the friendly against Braga that my players were not really focused. In training some of them were suffering because they wanted a solution to the bonuses. But now it is sorted.

‘The fans were also expecting me to be upset and fight but my message is clear — my responsibility is to be sure we have no excuse not to perform on the pitch. We are finished with the transfer window. now we have to bring the best from our players. I have to concentrate on that.’