Lack of investment could harm Magpies

These were the words of Newcastle owner Mike Ashley shortly after the Magpies secured the Sky Bet Championship title in dramatic circumstances after Brighton collapsed in the final few matches: "I've confirmed to Rafa (Benitez) and (managing director) Lee (Charnley) that they can have every last penny that the club generates through promotion, player sales and other means in order to build for next season."

It was the kind of bullish statement that suggested Newcastle were going to be aggressive spenders in the market and it was reported Benitez could have in excess of £100m to strengthen the squad.

However, the backing has been slow and unless there is an abundance of late activity it could be a campaign where Newcastle do little more than cement their place in the Premier League, which is usually the only aim for most promoted outfits anyway.

Ashley has made a number of strange managerial appointments - Joe Kinnear and John Carver are two examples - but Benitez is the best by a long way and Newcastle should stay outside the bottom three as long as he remains on Tyneside.

The arrivals have been modest with Newcastle supporter Jacob Murphy the one to get the locals excited and centre-back Florian Lejeune should improve the defence following a solid year with Eibar.

Tactically Benitez will be in his element plotting strategies to frustrate opponents and this assignment arguably suits the former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss more than last season's Championship campaign when Newcastle were obliged to take the initiative.

Benitez is targeting a new goalkeeper, but defensively they should be okay after conceding only 40 goals last season and the Spaniard is unlikely to venture away from his trademark 4-2-3-1 formation which requires two central midfield anchors.

One of those, Jonjo Shelvey, is talking of an England recall and the options in that area are plentiful so Benitez can happily rotate his players.

The key is whether Newcastle score enough goals. Murphy's addition will help in that regard, fellow winger Matt Ritchie is capable of making the step up and all eyes will be on Dwight Gayle, who never quite made it at Crystal Palace but shot the lights out in the Championship with 23 goals in just 32 appearances.

Key stat
Newcastle's goal difference of plus 45 was the second-best in the Championship since 2010.