RAFA BENITEZ is convinced Newcastle United are a club more than capable of climbing into the Premier League’s top ten if things are done right at St James’ Park.

The Spaniard was talking more about next season and beyond, although it is not completely out of the question that the Magpies can achieve that by May.

Newcastle finished tenth last season and Benitez would have preferred to have had the backing last summer to make greater inroads on improving on that this time around.

As it stands Newcastle are still six points off finishing tenth again, while the chances of finishing higher than that appears fanciful.

But Benitez is convinced that Newcastle are one of those clubs – provided there are no late slip ups this season – who can push even harder to finish just outside the top six next season with the right approach off the pitch as well as on it.

“What is clear is that the top six are a little bit far away from the others,” said Benitez, knowing there is a seven point gap from Wolves in seventh to Chelsea above them.

“I don’t think it’s impossible to compete against some of them. I don’t say that, long-term. But these positions from 7-10th, I think there are four or five big clubs who can be there, depending on whether you do things right.

“As soon as someone makes a mistake, you can catch them. Everything has to be fine to be sure that you can compete against them.”

Benitez still hopes to be around next season provided he hears the right noises from the boardroom before he commits to a new contract.

One of the major sticking points will be over transfer targets, with owner Mike Ashley known to want Newcastle to return to a policy of signing players under the age of 25 because of greater sell-on value potential.

But Benitez hopes that some of his more experienced signings, such as Salomon Rondon, Mo Diame and Federico Fernandez, are proof that they can enhance a team.

Rondon has been a massive hit this season and his performances in the centre-forward role have made him – both in terms of scoring and creating – a huge asset to the way Newcastle play.