NEWCASTLE UNITED are facing another season in the Championship, six years after last losing Premier League status. Rafael Benitez looks increasingly like being the manager leading the push for quick return to the top-flight, like Chris Hughton did in 2010.

Benitez’s appointment will be crucial in what happens next at St James’ Park. He has the support of the players, so there is no real charge for the exit doors, but if there is a sudden sea-change and the Spaniard ends up walking away then that could change things dramatically.

Provided Benitez does stay on, Newcastle will still be set for a summer of adjustments. He wants to put his own stamp on a squad he inherited in March and that will inevitably lead to departures, even though he has been given assurances that he does not need to have a fire sale.

Here are the biggest issues he will need to address to make Newcastle a team capable of dealing with the strains of a hugely competitive 46-game Championship season.

THE SPINE OF THE TEAM

Newcastle undoubtedly started to show greater spirit and desire under Benitez. The emergence of Jamaal Lascelles as a vocal presence at the heart of the defence and in the dressing room has helped. His experience of the Championship should be important too.

But Newcastle need more character running throughout the team. What the Championship lacks in international quality, it makes up for in guts and determination so any players not committed to the cause and up for the fight should be moved on quickly.

There have been talented players criticised for showing a lack of heart over the course of the last nine months, but some of those accused of that – like Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum - have actually shown they are more than capable when they have felt like it.

The last time Newcastle went up they did so because they had big characters such as Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan leading the charge. It is no surprise that both Burnley and Middlesbrough – this season’s top two – both possessed huge characters to get over the line.

THE CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

There isn’t one, is there? In fact, after a woeful and leaky start to the campaign, Benitez did actually tighten things up. The Magpies only conceded four goals in their final six matches and two of those were at Liverpool.

Goalkeepers Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot, should Tim Krul be one of those moved on to raise transfer cash, have plenty experience of the Football League, while Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba could be a crucial partnership going forward.

Throw in local lads Steven Taylor – who will become a free agent next month unless he agrees to fresh and reduced terms - and Paul Dummett and there would be local pride at the back to help Newcastle’s cause, but then it will be what else do Newcastle require?

The likelihood is that Holland international Daryl Janmaat will be offloaded at the right price, so a new right-back will be needed.

Newcastle failed to address the defensive weaknesses in January, so they can’t afford to ignore that area again and they must bring in another centre-back too (hence the link to Daniel Agger earlier this week).

THE HOLDING ROLES

Jack Colback will be a perfect fit to keep Newcastle ticking in the midfield in the Championship. He has the club at heart and will be desperate to get Newcastle back to the top level after walking out on Sunderland.

But who will be alongside him? Cheik Tiote could be moved on, although Benitez has enjoyed working with him. Where does Jonjo Shelvey fit into the plan? Or will he be sold off in a cut-price deal after failing to nail down a place under Benitez.

Shelvey clearly has the ability, but his style of play was not suited to Benitez’s way as he looked to keep them up. As an ambitious midfielder, and after missing out on the Euros, the former Swansea man will not be keen to sit on the bench in the Championship.

And Sissoko has already the subject of strong interest from the Premier League and Italy, with claims in France this week suggesting he is unwilling to commit his future to St James’ following relegation.

AND THEN THERE’S THE GOALS

Aleksandar Mitrovic, Andros Townsend, and Ayoze Perez have all hinted they are happy to stay on Tyneside following relegation. Whether they are still around come August could depend on any bids that arrive to try to temp Newcastle into selling first.

There are goals in those three, plus Papiss Cisse (although he is likely to be allowed to leave for pastures new after constant interest in him from abroad as he approaches the final year of his deal), but Newcastle know they will need more.

Bournemouth’s former Middlesbrough forward Lee Tomlin would be an interesting buy for the Championship, and has clearly got the talent to torment and frustrate defences at that level. He is not the Andre Gray/Ross McCormack-type who would guarantee 20-plus goals, though.

Benitez will have his own ideas and his connections around the world might mean he will not necessarily be looking at Championship or Premier League players.

Newcastle need adjustments right across the pitch to be equipped for the Championship – the appointment of Benitez would at least give the club a positive start.