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Rafael Benitez insists Newcastle owner is 'happy' with current transfer policy

Rafael Benitez is confident Newcastle's bid for a return to the Premier League is safe in his hands despite owner Mike Ashley's return to the limelight.

Weekend headlines suggested Ashley had stepped in during recent days to ensure his long-standing policy of signing younger players with potential sell-on value, which has been relaxed since Benitez was parachuted in to Tyneside, is reinstated as the Spaniard attempts to build upon a solid first half of the season.

Benitez remains relaxed about a situation he does not believe has changed materially, but hinted that the best approach would be to leave him alone and allow him to do what he does best.

He said: "In Europe, you have presidents or chairmen that are involved in everything. In England, you have football operations and business operations.

"I said at the beginning doing that, we are doing really well, so I think it is important to understand that it is a way to work that has been successful and it's the best way possible now for us.

"When I was in Europe, I had technical directors and in England, I have been a manager, so I have seen both. It depends on the people.

"The structure can be good with a technical director or a manager, but it depends on the people. My understanding is that if you have a good manager, leave him to take responsibility."

Benitez is keen to strengthen his squad this month, but has found the going difficult having been quoted £20 million for Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney and enjoyed little success in landing loan targets Tom Cleverley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek or James McCarthy.

However, he remains confident he will get the players he needs and is adamant that age is largely irrelevant despite Ashley's watching brief.

He said: "My understanding is that he [Ashley] is really, really pleased, really happy with the team, with everything that we have done for months, and hopefully he can be really happy with everything we will do now until the end of the season. That means that we are still winning games."

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