Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez fears being sacked if results do not improve.

The Spaniard is disturbed that a whispering campaign has started in the last few days, linking other managers with his job at St James's Park.

The Mirror says Benitez remains adamant he will lead the Magpies to Premier League safety, successfully seeing out the remaining eight months on his contract.

There is little prospect of the 57-year-old extending his stay beyond this campaign with friction over the transfer budget bubbling under the surface.

And, armed with that knowledge, Benitez believes he could find himself a casualty with owner Mike Ashley desperate to avoid a backlash on Tyneside.