RAFAEL BENITEZ remains confident Newcastle United will make a transfer breakthrough before the end of the month, but has been forced to admit he has not made any progress with his ongoing talks in the last few days.

Benitez is keen to add a central midfielder and a wide player, but has seen a number of approaches come to nothing with targets either moving elsewhere or being taken off the market.

Newcastle’s recruitment team have spoken to their counterparts at Crystal Palace about a possible move for Andros Townsend, with the former Magpies winger having expressed a desire to move on given his failure to make an impact under Sam Allardyce.

Benitez refused to talk about the specifics of a possible Townsend deal when he conducted his weekly press conference ahead of the Rotherham game, but expressed confidence that his transfer discussions would eventually have a positive conclusion.

“In terms of the transfer window, players in or out, we are in the same situation,” said the Newcastle boss. “We are still working with a few different options.

“We are still in the same situation, working with a few different names. Let’s see where we are in a few days. I still have confidence that we can do well.”

While Cheick Tiote is expected to leave before the end of the month, Benitez has ruled out the possibility of moving on Rob Elliot, who had been linked with a possible departure on loan.

The Newcastle boss also ruled out any prospect of Tim Krul returning from his loan deal, even though the goalkeeper is not playing for Ajax’s first team.

“I am happy with Rob Elliot,” said Benitez. “He has to keep playing with the Under-23s to improve his fitness. He’s training normally.

“Tim Krul is away on loan. We have three keepers here so there is no need to bring him back. I have been in contact with him and hopefully he can start playing a few more games now.”

Benitez’s immediate priority is tomorrow’s Championship home game with a Rotherham side who are sitting at the foot of the table.

Daryl Murphy will return to the squad, having been rested for Wednesday’s FA Cup replay win over Birmingham, but Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle both remain unavailable.

“We have a couple of little knocks, but I think the players will be fine,” said Benitez. “Mitrovic is still not ready.

“There were players who were cup tied (against Birmingham), who will be in the squad. The young lads will wait, they will not be in the squad.”