We must be ready to find key players in January window

RAFA Benitez has warned that Newcastle United must be ready for the January transfer window this year.

The Magpies spluttered through to the last few days of the window last term before eventually processing loan deals for Martin Dubravka, Kenedy and Islam Slimani.

Benitez, who has put together a contingency plan for the winter window in case funds dry up, wants a winger, left-back and striker in the January sales.

He has been assured that takeover talk will not affect winter trading, but fans are concerned over possible complications next month. Benitez told the Chronicle: “We were quite good in the end last year with Kenedy and Dubravka, after it you have to deal with the situation.

“Hopefully, we can be ready after this year and be ready for what we want to do.” Much has been made over the amount that Benitez will finally be afforded in January with United already quoted a $30million price for Atlanta United winger Miguel Almiron.

Benitez said: “The main thing for us is to find the right player.

“After that we consider what the right solution is.

“But the key is to find the player.

“That’s the most difficult thing in January.” Benitez is looking to improve what he has in his squad but admits that competition for places isn’t too bad across the board.

The former Real Madrid boss said: “It’s just the left-back position, that’s the only one we don’t have a left-footed leftback to cover Paul Dummett.

“The other positions we have a couple of players and if you have a problem the other is ready.

“If not we have others ready to push.”

Newcastle have sold out their allocation for Huddersfield this weekend but, amid unrest for some fans with the club’s owner, Benitez believes fans in the away section at the John Smith’s Stadium will be right behind their team.

He said: “I have said before that I am not the one to tell the fans what they have to do.

“I think they know the Premier League is so difficult that we need everybody behind the team...

“What is very clear is that this group of players deserve the support from the fans.”

Hopefully, we can be ready after this year and be ready for what we want to do