RAFA BENITEZ has insisted that ‘nothing has changed’ at Newcastle United on the transfer front after suggestions owner Mike Ashley is ready to take a more hands-on role again at St James’ Park.

Reports in the last 48 hours few days have suggested that Ashley and chief scout Graham Carr want a greater say on the recruitment front, raising fears among sections of the supporters at Benitez’s power may have decreased.

Newcastle’s policy before the Spaniard’s arrivals was to sign young players with a sell-on potential, and while Benitez has largely stuck to that he still recruited 33-year-old Daryl Murphy from Ipswich Town.

Benitez, yet to sign a player in January, claims he is not concerned and still hopes things will be done before the transfer window closes.

He said: “People think I like to sign old players. Our team is one of the youngest, or in the middle, in terms of average in the division. I like to sign young players to develop and improve them, and at the same time sign players that we need.

“Players like Daryl Murphy, who can make the difference and has been or has to be an important player for us in the season. That is important. I am confident we can sign the players we need.”

He added: “My communication with the owner is always through Lee Charnley, the managing director, and nothing has changed. Every day we talk about transfers, with our scouts, our agents, and we have the same idea in my head which is to sign the best players possible.

“If we can sign the right players for us, if we cannot then maybe someone can help. It is a crucial time everything is so positive and we are at the top of the table. It is easy to understand if we sign the right players if would be better. “

Newcastle will make changes for the FA Cup replay with Birmingham on Wednesday night because of injuries to Isaac Hayden, Dwight Gayle and Vurnon Anita. He revealed that the latter is facing six weeks out with an ankle injury.

Benitez said:  “We had three problems, Hayden is doing well, hopefully not serious. Anita has problem with ankle could be six weeks, more or less. Dwight Gayle is much better than expected.

“No timeframe, he will be assessed every game. It’s too early. Every day we will see how he is. We will see with Gayle, we didn’t know. The player has already started the treatment and we will see how he gets on.

“Hayden can play if we want to push but we will not push.  We have three players away and then losing three players in the same game is not good. We have to manage the situation.”

Murphy grabbed the winner at Brentford and is now expected to be handed his chance in the absence of both Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Benitez said: “If you see how well Murphy is playing, obviously to lose two strikers is not good news for anyone, but signing a player like Murphy with experience of the Championship is paying dividends now.

“We needed that, we needed his experience. I am sure you will ask me about the policy of the signings, so you try to sign young players while at the same time players who are good enough like Murphy who can make the difference.”