Ashley held face-to-face talks with PCP Partners’ representative Amanda Staveley over a proposed takeover this week.

But takeover talk has coincided with a slump in form on the pitch. Defeat at home to Leicester this evening could leave Newcastle just a point above the drop zone after a six-game winless run.

Benitez is confident of survival but insists only by strengthening his squad when the transfer window opens can he guarantee a stress-free second half to the season.

“I will have a meeting and I will ask the questions and we will see where we are,” said Benitez, who welcomes back club captain Jamaal Lascelles and winger Christian Atsu.

“But at the moment, I don’t know and I need to know where we are.

“I’m confident we can stay up but we need help in some positions because as soon as we have some injuries, we have problems winning games.

“At any club in the world, the value depends on the first team and what you are doing on the pitch.

“It is very simple. You have to make sure that your team is strong enough to stay in the Premier League.

“That has been my message from the beginning of the season and it is obvious that we have some positions that we have to reinforce.

“Mike Ashley is a businessman who will have a clear idea what he needs to do to improve his business and then it will be much better. He wants to win because it’s good for him so he will try to do that.”

While Benitez is trying to bring players in, Leicester boss Claude Puel says Riyad Mahrez must not allow talk of leaving to affect his game.

Mahrez admitted this week he is still aiming to reach “the top” of the game and he has recently charged agents, triggering fresh talk of a move.

The Algeria wideman is under contract until 2020 but Mahrez put in transfer request last summer. The only interest came from Roma and they could not meet Leicester’s £50million asking price.

It was an issue former boss Craig Shakespeare had to deal with before new Foxes manager Puel said he would try to ‘seduce’ Mahrez into staying when he took over.

But Mahrez has a new representative – Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho is in the same stable – which suggests a move is in the pipeline.

Puel says he is determined not to let the player’s off-field matters hold up the progress he has made since coming to Leicester.

The Frenchman goes to Newcastle today with just one defeat to his name so far, and that was to Manchester City. He is determined not to make Mahrez’s future an issue even if the speculation has started once more.

Puel said: “The most important thing is not to be distracted about other things. On the pitch, all the players must give their best for the team.

“Riyad, when you look at his performances, he is enjoying his football. He has a good feeling.

“He is a crucial player. If he continues at this level then I’m happy.”