Mags must keep boss, says Yedlin

DeAndre Yedlin says Newcastle United must keep manager Rafa Benitez at St James’s Park.

Benitez’s contract runs out at the end of next season and owner Mike Ashley wants him to commit his longer-term future to the club.

The club’s hierarchy has had preliminary discussions with Benitez’s representatives over a new deal.

Benitez guided Newcastle to the Championship title last season, and the club secured their Premier League status for a second year with five games to play.

Ex-Sunderland loanee Yedlin, signed by Benitez from Tottenham two years ago, is desperate for Benitez to stay for a “long time”.

Benitez will sit down with Ashley at the end of the season to see if they can reach an agreement over his and the club’s future.

“Those discussions between the manager and the club are going to be massive,” said defender Yedlin, who is preparing for Saturday’s game at Watford.

“He’s a great manager. He’s loved by the city and loved by the club. He’s a manager we need to keep.

“He has obviously done great things with this team.

“Obviously, I’m a little bit biased, because he has put so much faith in me.

“He has shown his trust in me, he has given me a lot, taught me a lot and given me a lot of experience.

“It has helped me a lot. He’s a manager this city and club need to keep, and not only that, they should try to keep him around for a long time.”

Newcastle are 10th in the table with three games left to play.

Newcastle United Under23s won the Northumberland Senior Cup with a 3-1 final win over Morpeth Town at St James’s Park last night.

The Magpies went a goal up after 15 minutes, when Callum Roberts fired home, but Liam Henderson bundled home an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

Roberts fired in from close range on 62 minutes, then Dan Barlaser curled a free-kick clincher into the top corner to seal victory.