Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez says he needs greater transfer market support.

While Benitez insists he doesn't need a £200million pit-stop to make his Magpies compete next season for the domestic cups and the seventh place that can bring European football, he also warned that his tinkering under the team's bonnet, and his squad's high-octane resilience can only take them so far.

“If you look at Formula One, if you are at bends, you can fight. But in a straight line, they go past you," he said. “You can be the best driver in the world, it doesn't matter. So you drive in Monaco, where it's bendy, then you have a chance.

“You can get to a certain level. After that, you cannot. Each (coach) has its own level of efficiency. It's a question of doing things at the right moment and the right way."

If he does sign up for another couple of years at St James' Park, Benitez will have a budget of £100m — plus whatever is raised from player sales.

He added: “This will be a really important transfer window for this club. It will be really important not to make mistakes."