Newcastle are closing in on the appointment of Rafa Benitez

Newcastle are in advanced talks with Rafa Benitez with current head coach Steve McClaren set to be sacked, according to Sky sources.

Sky Sports News HQ understands McClaren will be dismissed by Newcastle before the Monday Night Football clash with Leicester, making way for Benitez to take control.

Sky sources understand Benitez is in talks over a three-year deal and will be allowed to bring his own backroom staff to St James' Park.

Sky sources reported on Wednesday that Newcastle made an approach for the Spaniard and it is understood he will be named the club's manager, with the Magpies ready to scrap their current policy of employing a head coach.

It is understood first-team affairs for the match against Leicester could be left to first-team coaches Ian Cathro and Peter Beardsley.

McClaren arrived at the club's Darsley Park training complex as normal on Thursday shortly after 8am and continued to prepare the first-team squad for their clash against the Premier League leaders.

He spoke to managing director Lee Charnley on the telephone on Wednesday afternoon but a planned face-to-face meeting failed to materialise.

We take a look at Rafael Benitez's career since he arrived in England back in 2004 We take a look at Rafael Benitez's career since he arrived in England back in 2004

McClaren did not face the media on Thursday ahead of Newcastle's trip to the King Power Stadium and was set to hold further discussions with Charnley following training.

Saturday's 3-1 home defeat to Bournemouth condemned Newcastle to their fifth loss in six matches and left them in 19th place in the Premier League table.