Benitez is told to go for youth

RAFA BENITEZ will be ordered to sign younger players if he pens a new deal at Newcastle.

Benitez has preferred to bolster his squad with experience, believing that is the way to seal Premier League survival. Last summer he landed seven players with an average age of 27, with four 28 and above.

But Toon owner Mike Ashley wants players with sell-on value, which means his manager will struggle to complete the signing of on-loan striker Salomon Rondon, 29. The demand could be a major block to Benitez continuing as boss.