RAFA WANTS A CATCH-22 SITUATION

RAFA BENITEZ says there will be no excuses for Newcastle in the transfer market this summer.

The Spaniard (left) is facing a key week of talks with United power-brokers to discover if they will bankroll a push for silverware next term.

Benitez says difficulties experienced last summer in attracting players should not happen again because Toon have established themselves in the Premier League and have “massive potential”.

He said: “Now I think we are better able to convince players to come here. It’s not so easy when you have only just come out of the Championship. The ideal situation is to have around 22 players and then three players from the academy who have the potential to do well. Can we do that? I don’t think we can at the moment.

“So we have to manage. What you need is more quality in the squad to be sure you have 20 or so who can play any game.”