RAFA BENITEZ thinks Mike Ashley returning to St James’ Park would be a “positive” for the club as the Newcastle United manager prepares to discuss a transfer strategy that could determine his long-term future.

Ashley attended his first Newcastle match since May last year when he visited Selhurst Park last Saturday to witness a goalless draw with Crystal Palace.

It was a point that has increased the focus on this Saturday’s game with Leicester City on Tyneside because the Magpies are still waiting for the elusive first win that has prevented them from climbing out of the bottom three.

Ashley’s appearance last weekend has raised suggestions that he could make a surprise return to St James’ to watch the Leicester game, although there has been no word on that either way.

Benitez would welcome such a move by the Sports Direct chief, knowing the Spaniard could do with the club’s owner backing him with greater financial muscle on the transfer front.

The Newcastle boss would like to have an increased transfer kitty in the New Year as well as he would like to see investment in the club’s training facilities. If those were forthcoming he might extend a contract that is due to expire next summer.

Benitez said: “If the owner wants to be around, that is positive, it has to be positive. I don’t see any problem with that because it means that he cares and is supporting the team. Hopefully that will be the case in the next weeks and months.”

While Benitez, who didn’t meet up with Ashley at Palace, has spoken to managing director Lee Charnley this week and there is a transfer summit scheduled after the Leicester game.

He said: “I met (head of recruitment) Steve (Nickson), I met Lee at different times, but just talking about in general everything.

“We will have this meeting with the scouts just to be sure that we know what we are looking for, and that’s it. It’s not a special meeting, it’s just a normal meeting.”