Rafa Benitez has got tough with Newcastle's underperforming squad, scrapping days off and introducing double training sessions in a bid to save the club from relegation.

Newcastle are second from bottom in the Premier League table and have suffered eight straight away defeats ahead of Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.

Now Sportsmail can reveal that the Spaniard has axed days off in the build-up to matches, a tradition under sacked head coach Steve McClaren which saw the players enjoy time off 72 hours before a game.

Rafa Benitez is keen to shake things up in the North East after his appointment as Newcastle United boss

With Newcastle edging closer to relegation, Benitez was brought in to help the club stay up

The Spaniard was out on the training field on Friday as the squad prepare for the derby against Sunderland

Jonjo Shelvey was signed from Swansea in January and Benitez will hope he can rediscover his best form

Benitez has also told his squad they cannot head off at lunchtime every day and will instead use the afternoon to work on tactics, team shape and fitness.

A source said: 'The new manager has come in and made a real impression. He has an aura about him and immediately has everyone's respect.

'It was certainly needed. It looks like he's going to do everything in his power to keep them up.'

Benitez is convinced he can rally the team and take Newcastle clear of danger during the final nine games of the season. He is desperate to keep the club in the top flight given that relegation will almost certainly see him leave St James' Park come the end of May.

Benitez's reign started with a 1-0 defeat at league leaders Leicester on Monday but, while he accepted anything from that game would have been a bonus, a seventh straight derby defeat by Sunderland is unthinkable.

He is unlikely to make dramatic changes in terms of tactics or personnel — winger Andros Townsend is expected to return — and goalkeeper Rob Elliot says the former Real Madrid boss is making an effort not to confuse the players.

'He just wants us to be more of a team and keeps emphasising we have to keep it simple,' said the Republic of Ireland keeper.

Benitez's reign started with a defeat at league leaders Leicester on Monday but he can become an instant hero

A Newcastle supporter holds up a sign for Benitez, asking for the new manager to save the club's season

Ex-Liverpool boss Benitez took charge of his first Magpies tie on Monday but Newcastle lost to the Foxes

Benitez shares a joke with midfielder Moussa Sissoko during training with two days to go until the pivotal derby

'Rafa wants us to play simple football and work together, cover each other. That's it really, it's been a message intended to relax us and get us focused on the run-in.

'He's not going to come in and change the football dramatically because he just wants us to keep it simple and work hard, but he also wants us to develop as a side — and most importantly start winning games.'

Meanwhile, over at Middlesbrough, Aitor Karanka believes his players proved they still want him as manager by performing so poorly in his absence.

Rob Elliot said: 'He just wants us to be more of a team and keeps emphasising we have to keep it simple'

January signing from Tottenham Hotspur, Andros Townsend is expected to return against Sunderland

The Spaniard stormed out of a meeting with his squad last Friday and was told by the club he could not take charge for the trip to Charlton 48 hours later. Boro slumped to a shambolic 2-0 defeat and it was confirmed the following day that Karanka would remain as boss.

He said: 'Do you think if I had a problem with this squad they would have played the way they did? The players saw we need each other. Together, we were top of the table one month ago. When we are together we are really strong.'