A report over the weekend suggested Benitez could walk away having become disillusioned over a stalling recruitment drive which to date amounts only to the permanent capture of loan signing Christian Atsu.

However, Benitez has been assured that owner Mike Ashley's promise of "every last penny" the club generates from promotion and player sales to invest in the squad remains intact.

Having seen his hand strengthened by the departure of chief scout Graham Carr last week, Benitez is now hoping for decisive action with several of his targets having already fallen by the wayside.

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham's decision to opt for Swansea rather than Tyneside came as a blow, although it has been reported that the London club was unwilling to allow the 19-year-old to join Newcastle.

Goalkeeper Willy Caballero appears set to join Chelsea, while a deal for Eibar defender Florian Lejeune remains on the table, but still some way from completion.

Newcastle's players are due back for preseason training next Monday and Benitez had hoped to have several new faces on board by then, with the opening fixture of the new Premier League campaign against Tottenham at St James' Park a little more than six weeks away.

There is still time to achieve that, but with a substantial rebuild of the team which won promotion required, speed is of the essence if Benitez is to mould a new-look squad.