Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez is reviving his interest in Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

The Sun says Benitez has wanted his old Liverpool and Napoli keeper for months only to be frustrated.

But the Spaniard is counting on club owner Mike Ashley funding the move because of doubts about the coach's future if he fails to keep him happy.

Benitez has told the Toon hierarchy he wants to spend his available funds on a No 1 plus a striker on loan.

Newcastle have roughly £10million to invest on a keeper and £100,000-a-week wages to offer the right scorer. But Benitez wants a little extra to secure Reina.