Rafa Benitez plays down contract talks

Rafa Benitez is not worried by the lack of contract talks at Newcastle United as his future at the club remains uncertain.

The Chronicle Live reports that both parties are yet to begin talks over a new deal at the club.

Benitez’s long-term future at the club has been in doubt for some time, and the Spaniard has once again seen his name linked with the West Ham job as pressure mounts of Slaven Bilic.

Reports had suggested that the Newcastle boss was due to be handed a new deal, but the Spaniard was giving little away in his press conference.

Benitez’s current deal at the club expires at the end of next season and his future may well depend on whether or not the Magpies retain their Premier League status at the first time of asking.

Newcastle currently sit 10th in the Premier League, winning three out of their opening six, despite an initial worrying start to the campaign.