Moussa Sissoko is helping Rafa Benitez get his message across at Newcastle

The Magpies boss is fluent in Spanish, English and Italian, but he is recalling his French studies from his younger days in Madrid to help him on Tyneside.

Newcastle’s squad is made up of a variety of nationalities, but there are more players who regard French as their preferred language in the first-team squad than those who hail from England.

The majority can also speak a decent standard of English, but Benitez has found himself using the French he learned during his teenage years when he has wanted to get his message across.

The Newcastle boss has even received assistance from Sissoko, who has been handed the captain’s armband in recent matches, when he has needed it – and so far it is having the desired effect.

Benitez, who has managed in England, Italy and Spain, said: “I need to practise my French. I learned it in school and I was quite good but for so many years I was talking in English or Italian (as well as Spanish).

“I talked to Chancel Mbemba earlier in French, sometimes I talk to him and I try to remember. It's quite difficult to do the job (in different languages) because you need to communicate. There are things you have to tell the players.

“You can do different things you can use the video but you have to say something and at half-time you have to explain things, little details very clear and in French sometimes.

“It has to be in English but some of them cannot understand English so how do you explain little things so they will understand. Sissoko I think has been really important.

“I have tried to explain some little things, little details to Mbemba and some other players in French and in English, and afterwards Sissoko has helped me. He would tell them you want to say it that like this or that.”

The extra responsibility placed on Sissoko has had the desired effect under Benitez. The 26-year-old had struggled to find top gear on a consistent basis for more than a year, but he has found an extra edge in recent weeks.

The France international, with an eye on Euro 2016 this summer, has been a driving force during the three-match unbeaten run which has earned five points in the fight to stay in the Premier League.

Newcastle remain a point shy of Sunderland, who also have a game in hand, ahead of this Saturday’s visit of FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace, who will have former St James’ Park boss Alan Pardew making his first return to St James' Park since his departure.

Benitez said: “It depends obviously on the other teams too, but if we can play at the level we did at Liverpool, if we can fight with that spirit, then I think we can do it. Obviously I can talk about what has happened so far, but we need to get three points against Crystal Palace.”

Benitez signed a three-year contract when he took over from Steve McClaren with an option to walkaway at the end of the season if relegation happens. He reiterated, however, a desire to lead the club into a brighter future.

The 56-year-old said: “I think that this is a massive club, that's why I wanted to manage in the Premier League and have the opportunity to stay up with Newcastle, and to stay there for a while.

“In terms of how to approach the games, it is more or less the same. I try to win every game so I don't think it's just the top that you can win the title, or at the bottom you can be relegated.

“It's being calm, do my job, try to win every single game, and start thinking about the next one. So it's quite similar. But the only thing is you can see sometimes the anxiety, sometimes the fear, but my job is to try to stay calm and give them the right instructions at half-time, and tell them the right things so they can believe that we can do it.”

Benitez has confirmed Yoan Gouffran is close to a return. He has not played since suffering a muscle injury in the game at Stoke in March. Both Fabricio Coloccini and Daryl Janmaat are still being monitored, although neither are expected to face Palace.