ROB ELLIOT accepts Rafael Benitez will be looking to add greater quality to Newcastle United’s squad over the summer, even though the goalkeeper feels there is already Premier League talent on Tyneside.

The 31-year-old moved to St James’ Park six years ago and thinks the buzz ahead of the return to the top-flight is as big as it has been since he arrived from Charlton.

Elliot knows his own position could be under threat by August, with Benitez likely to target players in all areas if he is granted permission by the club’s owner Mike Ashley after next week’s transfer talks.

But the Republic of Ireland shot-stopper, who is back between the posts after a long lay-off after replacing Karl Darlow, does not see new summer signings as a reason to worry at all.

Elliot said: "I think there is still uncertainty. The one thing we all know is the manager has the reputation which will allow him to bring in top European, or even world-class players.

"Every single position is under threat because of that - whether it's goalkeeper, striker, everyone. But that's only good for the squad.

“I know if I'm going to have a future here under this manager, I must perform as well as I possibly can and make sure I'm on top of my game every week.

"That's what you want from any squad. All the lads know that the manager obviously likes them because the manager has either brought them in, or kept them here.

"But there will be players coming in this summer, so you know you've got to impress and make sure you're part of the plans going forward.”

Provided Benitez does hear what he wants from Ashley, the likelihood is he will be looking to attract some big names to St James’. Elliot knows there will be additions, although he also thinks the players in the squad now will can shine at a higher level.

The keeper said: "I don't think there needs to be a lot of change, no. We've got quite a good, young squad. People forget that.

"Look at the age of our squad. I've been the oldest player in one of the games I've played at 31. We've not just brought in players to get us promoted, but players who are going to improve with age.

"I'm sure there will be players coming in and will bring more quality, and more Premier League experience. But this squad is still exciting and it's a squad that will only get better because it's still learning, still trying to improve.”

But Elliot, speaking ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Barnsley, does sense that Newcastle are going places again after years of sliding towards the Championship.

He said: "The ambition, what I see now, is definitely the highest it's been since I've been at the club. In previous times, maybe the ambition was there but it didn't quite work out.

"Maybe it was a bit too soon for some of the younger players. Some of those young players now are playing unbelievably across Europe - and maybe you think they were the right players, but at the wrong time.

"But now, with this manager in charge, you can't really say what we're exactly aiming for in terms of what we're aiming for. Hopefully it will just be a natural progression. We're not going to say we're aiming for 'this', or aiming for 'that' - instead, year on year, we want to progress and then let's see where that takes us.”