Newcastle United are enjoying some real success in this season's Championship and going into the New Year, Rafa Benitez's side remain top of the table.

A quick return back to the Premier League looks very much on the cards after some impressive results but in one of the most hotly contested Championship campaigns we've ever seen, the Magpies will need to see the job through if they are to ensure promotion.

But with the side sitting close to the summit and looking strong for promotion, we wanted to take a look at the last Newcastle side to have achieved promotion from the Championship.

It was back in the 2009-2010 season and whilst lots has changed since, the task remains the same for this current crop of players and manager Rafa Benitez.

So with all of this in mind, here's a look back on the Championship-winning Newcastle United squad of 2010 and what they're all up to now...

GK: Steve Harper

The longest-serving player in the club's history, Steve Harper was a big part of this Newcastle United side that amassed over 100 points in this Championship-winning campaign.

He appeared 45 times between the sticks for the Toon this season and has since retired from the game after making over 200 appearances for the Magpies throughout his career.

RB: Danny Simpson

One of the individuals to have achieved real success after this campaign six years ago, Danny Simpson is now with Leicester City.

He helped the Foxes to the most unlikely of Premier League title wins last season and was a big part of this United side during the 2009-2010 title winning season too.

CB: Fabricio Coloccini

After eight years, Fabricio Coloccini left Newcastle United this summer to rejoin Argentinian outfit, San Lorenzo. He spent some really successful years with the Toon and featured over 250 times throughout his career in the North East.

Wrote an emotional letter to Newcastle fans on his departure, which said: "You have adopted me here and made me feel welcome and so happy. You also opened the door to your house and your hearts when my loved ones were far away". Very nice indeed.

CB: Mike Williamson

Mike Williamson was never a massive player for Newcastle United but filled in nicely when called upon throughout his time at St James' Park.

He's still playing in the Championship with Wolves, where his current deal with the league strugglers finishes at the end of the season.

LB: Jose Enrique

Arguably one of the most popular figures to ever throw on the Newcastle United shirt was Jose Enrique, who was thoroughly adopted by the Geordie crowd during his time with Newcastle United.

He made 37 appearances for Newcastle during the title-winning campaign which turned out to be his last, as he signed for Liverpool during the following summer.

More recently, he's with Liga Adelante side Real Zaragoza having been a free agent for over four months.

LM: Alan Smith

Former Manchester United man Alan Smith was to have his best season for Newcastle United during the 2009-2010 season.

Often utilised in midfield, he was excellent at breaking up play and was known for his no-nonsense tackling and ability to break up attacks.

He's now at Notts County doing his manager badges having had a spell at the club as a player.

CM: Joey Barton

Notorious footballing bad-boy Joey Barton was a really big part of this Newcastle United side and whichever way you look at it, he delivered on the pitch.

He's not everybody's cup of tea but he seemed to be well-liked in the North East thanks to his gung-ho performances and ability to lead from the middle-of-the-park.

These days he's back with Burnley having resigned for the club after leaving Rangers.

CM: Kevin Nolan

Arguably one of the best midfielders Newcastle have had in their more modern-day existence, Kevin Nolan was massive for the Magpies during this campaign.

He scored an astonishing 18 goals as his side won the title, playing almost 50 games in the process. Now 34, he's not coaching or playing having left a player-manager role at Leyton Orient in July 2016.

RM: Jonas Gutierrez

Another one of the most popular players we've seen on Tyneside in years, Jonas Gutierrez was adored by the Geordie faithful during his seven-year stint with the club.

But after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2014, his career slowed up and earlier this year he won a disability discrimination lawsuit against Newcastle, on the basis that by being not selected for the team due to his diagnosis he was unable to get an appearances-related bonus.

He's currently with Defensa y Justicia back in his native Argentina.

ST: Andy Carroll

This was the season Andy Carroll really hit his peak at Newcastle United, scoring 19 goals whilst introducing himself to the world for perhaps the first time.

He's not everyone's cup of tea but after an unsuccessful and costly spell with Liverpool, he's now settled at West Ham. Despite his early promise, injuries have riddled his career and he's made just eight appearances for the Hammers so far this campaign.

ST: Peter Lovenkrands

16 goals in 32 appearances during the 2009-2010 season massively helped the Toon to the title and Peter Lovenkrands will forever go down as one of the most important players during that season.

He never quite reached that peak again during Newcastle's next two seasons in the Premier League and he retired at the end of the 2013-2014 campaign, after a two-year stint with Birmingham City.