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Rafa Benitez says he is not concerned about a mass exodus at Newcastle United this summer.

The Spaniard has already made it clear he does not have to sell anybody after being handed full control of transfers by Mike Ashley following successful talks last month.

And while the futures of Moussa Sissoko and Gini Wijnaldum remain uncertain, players such as Aleksandar Mitrovic, Vurnon Anita, Ayoze Perez, Karl Darlow and Jamaal Lascelles have made it clear they are prepared to stay and fight on in the Sky Bet Championship.

Newcastle boss Benitez has a reputation of sticking to his guns if a player is under contract and Sissoko and Wijnaldum could be made to stay at St James’ Park.

Benitez has previously admitted Newcastle may still sell one of their high profile players if they get the right bid but the ex-Real Madrid boss was relaxed about retaining the bulk of his current squad.

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He told the Chronicle: “I have been asked about players wanting to leave. But I have had more players telling me they want to stay. That is positive.

“So we will deal with them and the main thing is we need players with passion, commitment and quality to make a difference in the Championship.”

Newcastle are currently working through their list of summer transfer targets and the summer could see up to five or six new recruits as they prepare for life back in the Football League six years on from their last stint.

Benitez will not take be taking a holiday this summer and has vowed to stay based in the UK as he looks to get through a tough schedule of preparations before players return for training.

And the situation is a major contrast to the summer of 2009 when the club were relegated when Chris Hughton was put in caretaker charge with no funds to spend.

Benitez said: “Everybody wants to do well. My daily relationship with Lee Charnley is good and that is the main thing.”