RAFAEL BENITEZ wants to launch one significant and final push to bring Andros Townsend back to Newcastle United before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

The Magpies have been rebuffed by Crystal Palace in their attempts to land the former Tottenham winger on loan, with Sam Allardyce keen on a permanent deal.

The Northern Echo:

Newcastle, after relegation from the Premier League last season, have been reluctant to do business on those terms and have identified alternatives, including Swansea’s Modou Barrow. However, the Swans have also been reluctant to accept loan terms.

Townsend is Benitez’s preferred target and hopes a deal can be struck that will seal his return – five months after leaving.

Benitez didn’t want to talk about specific individuals. He said: “Obviously we know what we want. Can we do it at the last minute? Maybe. Would it be ideal? No – obviously for me, it would have been better to have players here on January 1, but we couldn't do it.

“If we can do something that really we need even on the last day, fine. I would like to do it before. If we can do it on Monday or Sunday instead of Tuesday, that will be much better.”

He added: “More or less, we are in the same position in terms of working hard with some names. Still, depending on different things, I have confidence until January 31 we can do something, but it's more or less the same.”

Everton’s James McCarthy is also a leading midfield target, but the Toffees are reluctant to do a loan deal without an obligation to buy at the end of it.

McCarthy could yet replace Cheik Tiote in the Newcastle squad. Tiote has been in discussions with numerous clubs during the last week.

Benitez, who admitted he likes Townsend, knows what he wants, though. He said: “We don’t talk about names. The reality is it is very easy to see what we are looking for and what is available in the market. We are trying to do what we need to do to balance the team.

“We are so close that it is just to do a couple of things that will improve a good squad because the team is doing well, the players are working so hard and doing so well.

“At the same time, you can say, 'maybe we don't need ...' Yes, we need something because you have injuries and you have problems.

“It's important that you have the balance that will allow you to approach any game until the end of the season without this risk. Still I have confidence that it's so obvious, we will do something.”

Newcastle have been gearing up for this afternoon’s FA Cup fourth round trip to Oxford, when Benitez will make a number of changes while aiming to lead the club into the fifth round for the first time in 11 years.

He was happy to discuss suggestions Chelsea are interested in signing either Karl Darlow or Tim Krul to replace Asmir Begovic at Stamford Bridge.

Krul, on loan at Ajax and out of the side, is could be sold and Benitez said: "Tim is a top-class keeper. He has been playing for the Ajax Under-21 team, so if someone is interested in a keeper then it's always a name that people will look at.

"We've had one club asking but we weren't very happy with the idea because it was not the right club. But if someone is asking then we have to consider it because we sent him on loan with the idea for him to play. It's important for him to keep playing, or have this chance."

On Darlow, Benitez said: “Karl has done really well and is playing with more confidence, improving with the goalkeeper coach. I am pleased with him. We are not considering sell him, I have read in the press (link to Chelsea).”

Darlow is likely to be rested at Oxford when Aleksandar Mitrovic could be handed a start in attack after recovering from a severely cut knee sustained in the third round against Birmingham. Mitrovic will be one of many changes.

Benitez, who won the FA Cup in 2006 with Liverpool, insists he would love to win the competition again.

He said: "I know what it means, not for me but for everyone in England. If you talk about Spain or Italy … it's always special here. In the other countries they care, but not as much as they care here in England and I think it's important to do well or try to do well.

"It's a question of the team that you have with injuries, the Africa Cup of Nations, and what not so you have to find balance. But at the same time you play two games a week every week, so then you have to manage. I think the Cup is important and I want to do well, but at the same time we must keep an eye on the league just in case.”