Onus on Ashley to back Rafa with cash to cement top-flight status

SIX THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN NOW TOON HAVE CLINCHED PROMOTION

Chief sports writer NEWCASTLE United are back in the big time after winning promotion at the first time of asking since relegation.

It’s been a tough challenge for United and Rafa Benitez, but they are only the second team from the last 15 seasons to be relegated who have won automatic promotion the following season.

But what happens next? And after half a decade in the doldrums at St James’ Park, can Benitez genuinely get the team back to the business end of the Premier League table?

Here are six things that will happen next at for Newcastle as they prepare to take their place back at English football’s top table. 1. There’s still a sniff of winning the title and Benitez will focus on two more wins first and foremost.

Brighton have one hand on the Championship trophy, but it could still go right down to the wire.

Were Newcastle to beat Cardiff City on Friday night it would reduce the gap to just one point ahead of Brighton’s home game with Bristol City which kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday.

The Seagulls already demonstrated a few jitters at Norwich last week and nerves may yet be a factor for them.

With an away game at Aston Villa to come on the final day and Newcastle hosting Barnsley, there could be a late twist.

It’s unlikely, but you just never know in football. 2. The first round of summer transfer talks

Rafa Benitez has held a few brief meetings on recruitment for the 2017/18 season already with managing director Lee Charnley and chief scout Graham Carr.

Those discussions tapered off a little as the season reached the run-in stage.

But Benitez is likely to ask for up to eight new faces this summer and will want the final say on many of those targets.

Like last season, Benitez will want players ready to go for the first day of pre-season training in early July. 3. Decision time on loan players

Newcastle loaned out a host of senior squad members during the season and there are some big calls to make for Benitez in the summer.

Tim Krul will want a conversation about returning to Newcastle, but where would he fit in with Karl Darlow, Rob Elliot and promising youngster Fred Woodman also on the books?

Siem de Jong has stated he wants to return after a loan stint with PSV Eindhoven and, if fit, he could be a decent player to have in the squad.

Newcastle also have Manu Riviere and Henri Saivet to return after loan deals with Osasuna and Saint-Etienne.