Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles has warned the board the players do not want Rafa Benitez to leave.

The manager comes off contract in June.

“It's a bit of a silly question - yes, of course," Lascelles responded when asked if the players shared the fans' desire for Benitez to stay beyond the summer.

"Since he's been here, we've been doing really well. Even in the season we got relegated, he came in and we started winning games. In the Championship season we came first, 10th last year, and now we are finishing strongly this year.

"Of course, as players, we want him here but we are not in control of whatever is going on. But hopefully he gets tied down.

"Yes, of course it does [worry us as players that he might leave] - there aren't many managers like him. Of course, as players, we want him here and Newcastle should do everything they can to keep him."