Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez says the players understand his comments about just staying up.

Benitez stood by his claim last week that Premier League survival would be a "miracle", even if Newcastle receive funds for January transfers, and said the club's only objective for 2019 is to "stay up".

"I have had the conversation with the players and they do understand what is going on," he said.

"We have to be really concentrated and focused every game. We cannot make mistakes. If we make mistakes we can lose against anyone.

"Do I have confidence we can do it [stay up]? Yes. But to do it will be because everything is right. It will be a miracle."