MIKE ASHLEY has given the go-ahead for Newcastle United to push ahead with attempts to strike two loan deals to boost Rafa Benitez’s squad this week.

And, while the Magpies will still head into the final week of the window searching for a new forward, there is a high degree of optimism that agreements can be reached for Monaco left-back Antonio Barreca and Atletico Madrid winger Gelson Martins.

As always Benitez will not be banking on deals being done until they have got over the line, having waited frustratingly to hear of progress on the list of names he handed to managing director Lee Charnley to work on.

But the development in the last 24 hours should have heartened Benitez slightly following his short meeting with Ashley over the weekend when he stressed the need for reinforcements again.

Now the Newcastle boss hopes he can get both Barreca and Martins in his squad and is waiting for an update from Charnley on the situations, knowing both Monaco and Atletico are happy to let them go.

Monaco boss Thierry Henry is happy for Barreca to leave even though he only moved from Torino for £9m last summer. The 23-year-old is yet to agree personal terms on the move, but it would be with a view to a permanent switch.

The 23-year-old would be a welcome addition to compete with Paul Dummett for the left-back slot, particularly given the locally produced defender has struggled with injury this season.

Martins would also be a loan with a view to a full-time deal, and such terms would be similar to those that saw Martin Dubravka head to Tyneside from Sparta Prague 12 months ago.

The 22-year-old became a hot prospect during his time with Sporting Lisbon and representing Portugal but he has struggled to hold down a first team shirt under Diego Simeone at Atletico after joining last summer.

Benitez is out of contract this summer and is desperate to see new additions, with Newcastle fans fearing he has already made up his mind to go because of Ashley’s reluctance to invest in the squad.

The Spaniard is still hoping to secure the services of a forward this month but the chances of landing Atlanta United’s Miguel Almiron have receded.

The two clubs have been haggling over his £25m valuation and Newcastle are believed to be well short of his advisor’s contractual demands.

Newcastle are in FA Cup action this weekend against Watford when Benitez will be looking to guide the club into the fifth round for only the first time during the Ashley era.

They will at least head into the game in a positive frame of mind after the comprehensive 3-0 win over Cardiff City at St James’ Park.

“It was very important for us. It was a massive three points, and finally we won at home,” said Durbravka. “We really needed that. I think the effort was very good.

“The players were amazing. I don’t think they even had a shot on goal, so that’s how we should play at home.

“Hopefully, there will be many more games like it, and I have to say thank you for the best birthday present (turned 30 last week) for me, because 3-0 at home, a clean sheet and a great effort - I couldn’t wish for more.

“That was the first game since turning 30. My friends are here and they enjoyed the game. I have to say it was one of the best we’ve played at home. We controlled the game. You could see every player push and give 100 per cent for every ball.”

It was at this stage 12 months ago when Newcastle turned in some decent form to climb from relegation contenders and up to tenth by May. Dubravka would love a repeat.

He said: “We need to keep going from one game to the next game. We need to collect some points at home. The opponents have quality, so we need to be clever.

“The last ten minutes we were trying to go forward, and you could see the spaces in behind, so we need to be a little bit more focused in the last 10 minutes. It was a great job from the team.”