Newcastle United hopes to secure Rafa Benitez to a new deal inside the next two weeks.

The Evening Chronicle says Newcastle hope to come to an agreement on Benitez's contract extension within the next fortnight.

However, the two parties are yet to agree on some of the proposals put forward by the former Liverpool boss during on and off discussions in the last month or so.

Benitez handed his players a day off today, but preparations for the Southampton match will get under way in the next 24 hours - and United will also look to reopen dialogue with their manager and managing director Lee Charnley this week.

Friday's win at Leicester City has at least eliminated one big question mark in the discussions as Newcastle have all but secured Premier League status for next season.