Rafa Benitez insists Newcastle players are giving him their all ahead of West Brom clash

The Magpies head for The Hawthorns still smarting from Saturday’s 3-0 drubbing by Watford at St James’ Park.

Newcastle looked off the pace at the weekend, but the Spaniard insists his players are giving him everything.

Benitez was less than impressed with the club’s summer transfer dealings, which left him with a squad he believes is short of many of its competitors, including Huddersfield and Brighton, who came up from the Championship with them.

However, he is confident that he still has enough talent at his disposal to keep them in the top flight.

He said: “The reality is that if you want to sign a striker who can score 20 goals every year, it is £40million. An average striker is £20million or £30million.

“We didn’t do that, so we are where we are. We have to compete against Huddersfield, Brighton or Burnley, but we couldn’t compete against those clubs and sign the players they were signing.

“We couldn’t pay the prices they were paying or the wages they were offering.

“This group of players can manage if we stay calm and continue in the same way. Our fans know where we are and why we are here.

“We have had a difficult month. We knew that before. We have 14 points and are in a good position. Are we happy? No, it could be better – but it could be worse. If it gets worse, keep on going.”

A survey of Premier League wages has revealed that Newcastle’s average pay packet is the 15th highest in the division, and Benitez acknowledges the correlation between cash and the quality it buys.

However, he remains convinced there is more to come from his young and inexperienced group of players.

He said: “The fans appreciate that this group of players really care about the shirt and what they are doing.

“We cannot forget that the first of September we were complaining, and all the fans were saying it would be a difficult season. We are 14th in the league and in a good position. What is our target? What do we want to achieve? To stay in the Premier League. Nobody was saying it was going to be easy.”

Isaac Hayden will return to the squad for the game.

Hayden missed Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Watford through suspension, but is available once again for the game at The Hawthorns.

Fellow midfielder Mikel Merino was used as a substitute against the Hornets after recovering from a back injury, but full-back Paul Dummett (hamstring), central defender Jamaal Lascelles (foot) and winger Christian Atsu (groin) are still out.