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Ian Rush believes Newcastle United are already good enough to survive in the Premier League - but with “three or four” signings Rafa Benitez will be able to target a mid-table finish.

The former Liverpool and Magpies striker has been impressed with Benitez’s rebuild job at St James’ Park, particularly given how quickly he has transformed the club’s fortunes.

He expects sell-outs every single week on Tyneside in the Premier League, just as United had during their Championship-winning campaign, and Rush believes they will have a successful season in 2017/18 too.

“He’s done a great job,” Rush told BBC Tees present Paul ‘Goffy’ Gough.

“It doesn’t matter how big a club you are, the hardest thing is to get back in the Premier League - and he’s done it.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

“Brighton and Chris Hughton have done an incredible job, but you’ve still got to do it.

“Newcastle have gone up as champions, and I think he [Benitez] knows the scores - he’s had a season in that league and he doesn’t want to be there again.

“Now he’s back in the big time and I’m sure he’s looking for money to spend on players, because everyone needs to improve, and I’m sure Newcastle are the same.

“They’ve had some good times, they’ve had some bad times in that league, so when you go up to the Premier League and you have a bad game, you get found out.

“You might get away with it in the Championship, but in the Premier League you won’t - you’ll get found out straight away.

(Image: PA)

“I’m sure with his experience at Liverpool, knowing what it’s like to be successful in the Premier League, he needs three or four players.

“If he can do that, I’m sure he’ll be a success, because one thing for certain is that the crowd will be there, they’ll sell-out every week and it’ll be a great atmosphere there.”

Middlesbrough and Hull City were both relegated in the season immediately following promotion, partly due to the fact neither side strengthened sufficiently.

Interestingly, Rush - who scored twice for Newcastle during a one-season spell on Tyneside in 1997/98 - believes United already have a side strong enough to beat the drop, but a few additions could make them contenders for a top-10 finish.

“It’s difficult but they’ve got the manager to do it,” Rush replied when asked if he believes Newcastle can survive next season.

“He needs players; there’s only so much you can do, you need the players to do that.

“I think he can do that, but Newcastle - no disrespect to Middlesbrough or Sunderland - but Newcastle get 60,000 or whatever [actually 52,000] and it’s going to motivate teams.

“With the manager, yes Benitez does need players, but I think looking at it there are worse teams in that Premier League than Newcastle now.

(Image: BBC Tees)

“Newcastle are better than I would say about four or five of those teams in the Premier League now, so if you can add players to that I’m sure Rafa will be saying: ‘Let’s finish mid-table going up.’”

Recently, Craig Bellamy and Tim Sherwood suggested that Newcastle’s passionate fans actually hinder the club because they have unrealistic expectations.

But Rush does not agree - instead, the former Wales striker believes all the Newcastle fans ask for, just like those at Liverpool, is to be entertained and to see effort on display.

“Yes, 100 per cent,” Rush replied when asked if the St James’ Park crowd were always worth a goal head-start on Tyneside.

“Liverpool supporters were fantastic but so are Newcastle fans; all they want is 100 per cent - if you lose, then they’ll hold their hand up.

“Sometimes when [Kevin] Keegan was there they’d lose 4-3 but still be happy. They’re there to be entertained and if you give 100 per cent and you entertain them, then that’s what they’re looking for.

“I’m sure under Rafa Benitez they’ll survive.”