RAFA BENITEZ has admitted Mike Ashley has told him that a potential takeover of Newcatsle United is off and that the owner will do what he can to strengthen his squad this month.

The Magpies boss had hoped to have had new players on board before now but has regularly suggested he had not been told what budget he had to work to while there was ongoing uncertainty over who would own the club.

But this week’s Ashley statement claiming the possibility of selling to Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners was over has changed things.

Now Benitez, suggesting he has known about the unsuccessful takeover attempts for some time, is looking for Ashley to deliver his pledge to add new faces to his squad before the window closes on January 31.

The Newcastle boss, whose side face Manchester City tomorrow, said: “When I was talking with Mike Ashley he told me that the takeover wouldn’t go through, since then and I’m talking maybe two or three weeks, we have just tried to do what we have to do in this transfer window and prepare the team for the game. That’s it.

“In terms of players and training sessions, nothing changed, so we continue to do exactly the same. In terms of the transfer window we have some targets and some names, the club has the names, and we are trying to progress.”

Asked whether he has spoken to Ashley this week, Benitez said: “Yes. He has told me he will try to do something. He has the names and the club will try to sign the players we gave him.

“It doesn’t matter (the budget), they have the names and they will try to it, it doesn’t matter about the figure it’s what we try to do and do. We are looking for anyone good enough to improve the squad and stay in the Premier League.”

Jesus Gamez and Florian Lejeune remain sidelined through injury, while Aleksandar Mitrovic has returned to training but will not be involved at City.

Benitez could still move players on too this month, but asked if there were any deals imminent in either direction. He said: “Nothing going out and nothing in (at the minute).”