Benitez hints his future rests on January transfers

The situation at Newcastle has been in turmoil for a while, with the future of Mike Ashley's tenure as owner in doubt since he decided to put the club up for sale.

Rafa Benitez's status at the club is been more unstable, with him in the final year of his contract and a stalemate between himself and the club ensuing.

The Spanish manager will not sign a new deal until funds for transfers are guaranteed, which became especially important when the club failed to recruit the amount of players that he had hoped for.

Before Saturday's game against Crystal Palace, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss hinted that he will review his future in January, when the club will have another chance to add to their squad.

"We have to go to January and see what we do, after that it will be easier to know where we are.

"When I first decided to stay my view was very clear: to compete in the top 10. That is not the case now. So we have to review things.

"It's obvious for everyone that we have to do things in another way.

"I'm really pleased here. I like the city, I like the atmosphere and the fans and everything. The potential of the club is massive."