RAFA BENITEZ is ready to put the pressure on the Newcastle United boardroom before this week’s trip to Ireland after being overlooked for the Spanish job.

Benitez was one of the names in the frame by the Spanish FA for the national team role following the decision by Julen Lopetegui to takeover Real Madrid.

Lopetegui’s temporary successor Fernando Hierro, appointed for the World Cup finals, has not been given the role on a permanent basis following Spain’s unsuccessful tournament in Russia.

Rather than turn to Benitez, who was under consideration and shortlisted as revealed in The Northern Echo last month, the Spanish FA have opted for former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.

The 48-year-old has been out of work since leaving Barca a year ago and his track record at Camp Nou made him a more attractive appointment coupled with the fact he was a free agent.

Now Benitez, who had already been linked with the Everton and West Ham jobs this summer, will be looking to solely concentrate on helping Newcastle make the next step after finishing tenth last season.

Adding two new strikers is in his thinking and he is keen to get owner Mike Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley to get things tied up on at least one of those soon.

Benitez is well aware that Nice’s Alassane Plea is interested in moving to St James’ Park but the Magpies have not been willing to pay the £27m asking price, opening the door for the likes of Tottenham, West Ham and Borussia Monchengladbach to compete.

West Brom’s Salomon Rondon is another believed to be keen and that deal is an easier one to conclude given he has a £16.5m release clause in his contract.

Those are the two main striker targets at this stage, but there are alternatives and Newcastle are still open to the idea of cashing in on Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle provided there is progress on their own recruitment drive.

Benitez is due to have further talks with Charnley within the next 48 hours about the transfer window and he is looking for a report that suggests they are close to adding to the signings of Martin Dubravka and Ki Sung-Yueng.

Newcastle have been credited with an interested in former Middlesbrough winger Albert Adomah, who could be sold by Aston Villa this month.

The 30-year-old is only believed to be a back up option if they are unable to strike a deal with Crystal Palace for Andros Townsend and Chelsea for Brazilian winger Kenedy.

Newcastle have also made a fresh approach for Lille midfielder Thiago Maia, who is a friend and former Brazil Under-20s team-mate of Kenedy. Lille knocked back a loan offer from St James’ Park earlier this summer.