Newcastle have enjoyed a fine start to the season under Rafa Benitez, who has lead to them to top spot in the Championship, three points clear of the chasing pack.

Newcastle's squad is very strong and Benitez will look to add quality in January as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League, which will leave quite a few players on the fringe of the squad.

To free up funds for other players, Benitez will have to sell the players he doesn't so that his squad isn’t too big because he can’t keep everyone happy

With Newcastle having a very large squad, having retained most of their players when they come down, Benitez could probably get rid of more than three players.

Newcastle will be looking to sell only their fringe players and keep all their best ones, as they continue their journey, aiming to get back to the top flight.

Here, I will look at three players who Benitez should sell in January…

Rolando Aarons

The Newcastle academy graduate has failed to fully break into the first team and seems to be extra baggage that Benitez is carrying unnecessarily.

Aarons has struggled for game time this year and with competition at a premium out wide for Newcastle, he is right down the pecking order.

Despite being able to play at left back as well, he can't get in there, with Paul Dummett the first choice left back for The Magpies with Haidara and Lazaar in reserve if needed.

Cheick Tiote

Tiote is another who has found game time very hard to come by at Newcastle lately, with Benitez appearing not to favour him in the midfield.

In the summer, it seemed like Benitez was more than happy to let him go, but a move never really materialised, and after spending the last few months sat on the bench, Tiote is likely to be axed by Benitez in January.

Tiote was a big part of Newcastle’s success in the Premier League a few years ago but since Alan Pardew and John Carver have left the club, he has had limited opportunities.

Haris Vuckic

Vuckic is currently on loan at League One side, Bradford but his loan expires in January and he returns to Newcastle.

Vuckic is not likely to ever make the Newcastle team so Benitez should sell him and get his wages off the books.

He has spent most of his Newcastle United career out on loan, featuring very little for the first team.

With Newcastle’s competition for places out wide, Vuckic isn’t going to come back and displace any of them, so Benitez should look to sell him.