Newcastle United striker Ayoze Perez doesn't expect Rafa Benitez's situation to be resolved until the summer.

The Toon boss still doesn't know whether he will be at St James' Park beyond the final game of the season at Fulham.

But Perez told the Evening Chronicle: "Our feeling is that we want him to stay, like the fans do.

"We can hear them singing exactly that - they want him to stay. That's our feeling in the dressing room.

"Since he arrived here things have become better and the club is growing. That means a lot.

"Keeping him our bench will mean so much, but it's not in our hands.

"They will deal with it.

"It is going to be in the summer when we find out."