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Rafa Benitez is confident that Newcastle United will be an even better side once the transfer window has closed for business at the end of the month.

The Spaniard is not a fan of the long summer trading period and feels that constant speculation does not help managers and players.

Benitez woke up to headlines linking both Tim Krul and Daryl Janmaat with summer exits but the club haven’t received any bids, despite talk of Ajax wanting the long-serving goalkeeper and Napoli and West Ham being linked with the right-back.

United’s want-away midfielder Moussa Sissoko is also reportedly a target for Inter Milan while Yoan Gouffran, Henri Saivet and Manu Riviere could also leave if the right bid comes in.

After the 1-0 win at Bristol City, Benitez said: “I said before, the 31st of August can make a big difference in terms of how we approach the rest of the players.

“It’s difficult to have players’ names in the newspapers each day. It’s not easy because they have to concentrate.

“I would say Gouffran, because maybe he will leave or maybe he will stay, so to keep him professional and training well was important.

“When you look at the way he has played and the effort he put in on the pitch, is not easy. It’s important for us to get to August 31st and regroup, then see where we are.”

Benitez also stated that Janmaat is still a Newcastle player and was not involved at Bristol because Vurnon Anita won his place on merit.

He added: “I have to pick the best players for games, I thought Vurnon Anita did well the other day. I wanted to keep playing with him.”

Looking back on the single-goal victory, Benitez said: “It was difficult because the ball came into the box so many times.

“You also have this second ball to deal with too. In the end it was a good performance as a team, a defensive team performance.

“Everybody tried to help. It was important to see everybody working so hard. It is important to be a team that attacks and scores goals.

“But then at the same time you have to be organised and have team spirit to work and get a result.

“For me it’s a good step forward in terms of confidence as well.”