TOON FIGHT FOR RAFA

NEWCASTLE are refusing to give up on keeping Rafa Benitez – by rebuffing approaches from possible replacements.

The Toon boss is under contract at St James’ Park until June, but has been involved in a stand-off over transfer funds with owner Mike Ashley since the summer. With Benitez’s long-term position uncertain Newcastle have, unsolicited, been offered a host of interested replacements by agents.

But club chiefs have refused to get involved in discussions over a successor for Benitez, as a key meeting, which could seal his decision, approaches.