RAFAEL Benitez has revealed that Cheick Tiote could still leave in the next few days despite the closure of the transfer window.

Newcastle are weighing-up an offer from the United Arab Emirates for the Ivory Coast midfielder, who has yet to figure so far this season. 

Proposed moves to Olympiacos and Galatasary fall through last month, but with the UAE transfer window remaining open until October, the manager said: "We have had an offer from the Emirates for Cheick, and we know their window is still open."

Tiote has made more than 150 appearances since a £3.5m move from Dutch club FC Twente six years ago. Bentiez added: "He is a good professional who trains very well and I'm pleased with him. At this stage, we're waiting for the right chance for him but if he doesn't move, it's up to us to get the best out of him here."

The 30-year-old won't be involved when Newcastle return to Championship action at Derby County on Saturday as they look to add to a run of four consecutive league and cups wins.

Benitez admits the international break came at the wrong time as his side continue to repair the damage inflicted by back-to-back league defeats at the outset of the campaign, and the Spaniard added: "When you're winning games in a row like we were, I think it's not the right time for it to happen. But in saying that, the players who have been out on international duty have all come back fit and healthy and ready to play."

The Newcastle manager could hand debuts to recent arrivals Daryl Murphy, Christian Atsu and Achraf Lazaar at the iPro Stadium. He also has strikers Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle available after missing the victory over Brighton due to concussion protocols. 

Benitez added: "Some players need to be rested more because their position is more demanding, the centre-backs for example can play more games. 

"It also depends on the competition we're playing in, so I'm not thinking about us having to rotate. It's not something I wake up in the morning worrying about, it's important to keep competition between players and to have fresh legs for every game, because we have a lot of fixtures and a lot of travelling and not too much time in between games."