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Newcastle United have made some improvements to their scouting network as Rafa Benitez plans for the future.

As reported by the Chronicle yesterday, Benitez revealed his aims for the club’s Academy as he looks to increase the amount of homegrown players coming through the system.

Benitez has also tweaked the club’s recruitment policy and while Steve Nickson remains head of recruitment after replacing former chief scout Graham Carr last year the Magpies have now added some full-time scouts in Spain and in central Europe.

Existing scouts Mick Tait and Paul Baker continue in their roles but Benitez has talent spotters in eastern Europe with Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia.

During his Liverpool days Benitez briefed his scouting team to find the top 10 talents in each European country while also keeping an eye on the very best young players on the Continent.

Newcastle are looking to add some players to their development squad this summer with a host of Under-23 players released last week.

Benitez will look to promote some Academy players to the second string and will take a closer look at the situation once the first team has secured top flight survival.

Benitez had said: “To bring players through from the Academy is not easy.

“We have to improve things around to make sure we can promote players in the future.”