RAFAEL BENITEZ will take advantage of a free weekend by taking in a spot of player watching, even if the Newcastle United manager does not pay a personal visit to a game.

The Magpies boss, whose side sit top of the Championship by a point, are on course to claim an immediate Premier League return.

But defeat to Oxford United in the FA Cup means Newcastle do not play until they meet Aston Villa in the Championship on Monday night.

Benitez will have his players in for training before the visit of the Villans and then he could take in a game or two on Saturday – albeit sat in in front of a screen.

He is not the sort of manager who believes in having to personally run the rule over players all of the time, but does keep an eye and stays up to speed in other ways.

Benitez said: "We're watching games every week. Now with the technology, you have access to everything. The staff and the scouts are watching games. We are watching games all the time.

“It’s not a big difference whether you are there or not these days. You have your scouts watching live games. It's not important for me, especially as you don't have time as you are travelling or you might choose to see the family.”

As well as potential transfer targets and tactical analysis, Benitez might also choose to look at some of the players he has allowed to head out on loan.

The Newcastle boss said: "I follow the players on loan. I have people sending me the information. I am in contact with some.

“I think it’s important to know if they are doing well or not. I don't watch every game, because I don't have time, but sometimes I am watching the games of our players on loan and then send messages and keep the contact with them. I think it's important for us, as a club, to have players doing well (on loan).”

Alex Gilliead (Bradford), Kevin Mbabu (Young Boys), Callum Roberts (Kilmarnock) and Adam Armstrong (Barnsley) are among those playing elsewhere, along with goalkeeper Tim Krul.

The Dutch keeper has already appeared twice for AZ Alkmaar since breaking from his temporary switch to Ajax early, having not figured at all, and is due to return to Tyneside at the end of the season.

Krul still has a year to run on his deal with Newcastle. Benitez said: "He needed to play. He was with the Under-21s (at Ajax), but that's different. He's a good keeper, so he's doing well, then it's good for him and us.”

Krul attracted interest from Chelsea during the January transfer window and it is unlikely he will return to Newcastle, where Benitez already has Karl Darlow, Matz Sels and Rob Elliot.

If Newcastle can finish off the drive for promotion successfully then Benitez – who was again linked with the Arsenal job yesterday following speculation about Arsene Wenger’s future - will have further finances available to strengthen the squad.

Newcastle are looking to cement their place at the top of the pile on Monday night, when Corbridge-born boyhood Newcastle fan Steve Bruce will take his Villa side to his native North-East.

Aston Villa, relegated with Newcastle last May, are 19 points shy of a play-off place and Bruce has been tasked with the job of improving fortunes since taking over from Roberto di Matteo earlier in the campaign.

Bruce said: “I am confident we will turn it around and we will get a team the fans who will support and be proud of. I have to get a few results to give us that stability. The club is in a healthier position now than it was four months ago when I took over.

“We would take any win at the moment, we need a result and that’s where we are. It will be a great occasion, 50-odd thousand. Some would say this fixture should be in the Premier League and that’s how difficult it is. They are doing well under Rafa this season.”