RAFAEL BENITEZ expressed a sense of relief at Newcastle’s opening win of the season, but admitted his side still have significant room for improvement despite their four-goal show against Reading.

The Magpies claimed their first Championship points as they secured a 4-1 win over the Royals, with Dwight Gayle’s second-half brace following earlier goals from Isaac Hayden and Matt Ritchie.

The victory calmed some of the nerves that had accompanied Newcastle’s shaky start to the season, although the game remained in the balance until the hosts cut loose in the final quarter.

Benitez was delighted to see his players finally get back to winning ways, although he conceded they are still some way short of the standards he envisages them hitting later in the season.

“It was very important for everyone to get three points because we didn’t get anything from the first two games even though while we didn’t play too well, we didn’t play too badly either,” said the Newcastle boss.

“I thought we showed character and a good reaction after conceding the goal, and that is what we have to do. Sometimes we will play well, but we have to show character all the time.

“We can still get much better. How much is difficult to quantify, but I am sure we will improve. There will be some bad games for sure, but we will improve and play better.

“Today, we had some good play at times, but we still have to improve. Until the end of the transfer window, it is quite complicated to keep everybody focused but we are doing what we have to do every week.”

Benitez is anticipating a busy end to the transfer window, with four or five players expected to leave St James’ Park and potentially as many again arriving through the entrance door.

It is hard to envisage either Moussa Sissoko or Cheick Tiote playing in the next few weeks, but last night’s surprise recall for Yoan Gouffran proves Benitez is reluctant to write off all the players who are expected to leave in the next fortnight.

Gouffran made his first senior appearance since the start of March, and helped earn the second-half penalty that enabled Newcastle to reclaim the lead.

“I’ve said a lot that these players are quite professional,” said Benitez. “Every training session they are working hard, even the players who know they might leave. He (Gouffran) is a good professional, a good player, and we needed a bit of experience in the wide areas. I think he did well.

“Maybe he was thinking about offers that could come, but he had to play today and he did really well. It is not easy for any player to think, ‘I have to be really concentrated and focused when maybe tomorrow I will leave’, but you have seen examples in the Premier League of players playing one game and then leaving the following day for another team.”

While Gouffran came into the team, Jamaal Lascelles found himself dropped to the bench just a fortnight after he was handed the captain’s armband.

Benitez paired Ciaran Clark with Chancel Mbemba, but is confident Lascelles, who was a second-half substitute, will react positively to his demotion.

“When I was talking with Jamaal, I was saying we needed someone who would be positive on and off the pitch,” he said. “He has to understand the role of a captain, and he was fine. I have to pick the team not thinking about that, but thinking about the best players for every game.

“The main thing for me is the reaction of the players who are on the bench or in the stands. They have to realise that we have to create a positive environment of competition between players. That is the best way to be sure we have a big enough squad for the next 43 games.”