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Rafa Benitez insists he “hopes” Karl Darlow has a Newcastle United future as the Magpies boss admits players will be moved on in the coming days and weeks.

The Spaniard has more than 30 players in his first-team squad at the moment and, given that he is hoping to make another three or four additions, up to a third of those currently at United will need to be sold or sent out on loan.

Darlow is one who is expected to leave given Benitez’s desire to recruit a new goalkeeper, with the former Nottingham Forest stopper having fallen behind Rob Elliot in the United pecking order.

Yet Reading and Middlesbrough, both of who had shown an interest in Darlow, have signed new goalkeepers.

And, despite hooking Darlow just 26 minutes after introducing him as a half-time substitute and instead bringing on Freddie Woodman for the last part of Saturday’s 1-1 pre-season friendly draw at Preston North End, Benitez insists he wants the goalkeeper to stay.

“We have three keepers and we had to give them some time so we couldn’t leave one person on the bench because after one week I think they all needed to play,” Benitez said after fielding Elliot, Darlow and Woodman in the same match.

Then asked if Darlow has a future at the club, Benitez replied: “I hope so.”

(Image: Newcastle United)

Benitez also stressed that he was “hopeful” new signings would arrive in the coming days as he seeks a striker, a midfielder and a goalkeeper - and made it clear the club would “do their best” to recruit players with Premier League experience.

But he also highlighted that progress needed to be made in terms of shifting players out too.

“Not all of them [can have a future], no, because we have too many and we only need 25 players,” he added.

“We have too many now so we need to adjust.”

While captain Jamaal Lascelles did not feature at Deepdale due to a slight knee problem, Siem de Jong once again started for United.

Though he was not as impressive as he was against Hearts, when he provided an assist, Benitez was pleased to see the Dutch midfielder get further minutes into his legs.

“I think the first game he played quite well but against Preston the team was not helping too much,” Benitez said of De Jong.

“I think he is OK because when he is on the ball he is fine, he is a good technical player.

“But physically we were not at the level we were expecting and, also, we were not playing at the tempo we were expecting.

“I think for all of them and for us it is important to give them the chance to impress, to see if they can do it.

“We know they have quality, but if they can improve their fitness then that is always an advantage.”