No plans to chat with Ashley yet

RAFA Benitez has revealed there are no planned talks with Newcastle United’s top brass this week.

Mike Ashley was absent for the Magpies’ 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers due to business commitments and, despite his outburst on the takeover front seven days ago, Benitez will still not get a muchneeded sit down with the owner.

The Spaniard played down the significance of the club’s sale after the loss to Wolves, insisting the day had been about bad refereeing decisions from Mike Dean ahead of United politics.

When asked if he had a meeting with Ashley, he replied: “No.”

In the follow up question Benitez was asked if that was not a little bit disappointing given Ashley’s candid remarks to Sky News – a story which has caused some uncertainty on Tyneside.

Benitez responded: “Today was not about that, it was about VAR. It was so clear.

“The team was fine, the team was focused, it was working hard, doing well and again I will say we were in control.

“It is very difficult because these kind of situations give you more concern about the next game and then the points and the table.

“Today, it could have been one point, it could have been three points and we would be in a much better position - so it is easier for other clubs and for us, it is much more difficult.”

Benitez is in desperate need of funds in January but whether a significant amount comes his way remains to be seen.

Speaking about the state of his squad, the former Napoli and Inter Milan boss said: “I know where we are. From day one when we finished the transfer window, we knew it could be like that but when you are doing well on the pitch you expect something more.”