BUT THERE’S SOME GOOD NEWS!

RAFA BENITEZ is staying at Newcastle for the love of the Toon – and not because owner Mike Ashley would be due a sackful of cash if the Magpies boss quits.

The only thing keeping Benitez from walking out has been the £6million he would have had to pay to Ashley for breaking his contract.

But that clause has now expired and Benitez can quit St James’ Park for nothing. But he recognises that any movement in the manager’s chair could end in relegation disaster. And even though he is putting his managerial head on the block by staying put, he doesn’t want to turn his back on the Geordie fans.

Even without reinforcements, he has already forecast that survival in the Premier League would be “a miracle”. But he will not walk out on the club out of respect for the supporters who continue to back him to the hilt.

Benitez is gritting his teeth and getting on with the job in hand, despite enduring a torrid time at St James’ Park.