We’re not done dealing just yet – Benitez

SPANIARD CONFIDENT OF NEW SIGNINGS

Chief sports writer RAFA Benitez is confident of incoming business before deadline day.

The Newcastle United boss has been boosted by the exit of Emmanuel Riviere and the impending sale of Siem de Jong to Ajax.

More fringe players could follow the duo out of the door, but Benitez is hoping to add Chelsea’s left-sided player Kenedy and possibly a striker, goalkeeper and back-up defender to his squad before the window closes next week.

He said yesterday: “At the end of the transfer window everything is important so every day if you can do business it makes a difference for the future.

“A lot of the time we are trying to do our job behind the scenes and at the same time trying to concentrate on football.

“We are working to try and move players in too. We have too many players.

“We have to keep moving players out but at the same time we have to try and bring players in who can give us something different.

“We don’t have too many strikers and we don’t want to lose any.”

Newcastle go into the clash with West Ham looking for a much-needed victory, with Benitez overseeing a United side enduring their worst Premier League start since 1999.

However, he was optimistic about his team’s chances going into today’s game at St James’ Park.

He added: “I have the confidence the team will improve.

“We have to move forward quickly.

“Getting three points in the next league game is our objective, our target.”