Newcastle have made hard work of it this season, but Huddersfield’s draw at Derby on Easter Monday has seemingly handed the second automatic promotion spot to the Tyneside club.

It would take a serious capitulation for Rafa Benitez’s men to miss out on the top flight next season, and one win from their final three games should be enough to get them over the line.

With that being the case, the former Real Madrid boss will be planning for next season.

A manager of Benitez’s ilk will be sure to attract attention from other clubs, but providing the Spaniard sticks with the club next year, a range of top draw players would surely be attracted to the lure of Premier League football under the Champions League winner.

Newcastle will have learnt from their last stint in the Premier League, which after an influx of foreign imports, resulted in an embarrassing relegation to the Championship at the end of last season.

With one of the largest fan bases in the country, and 50,000 fans urging their side on at St James’ Park on a weekly basis, Newcastle United are too big for the second tier of English football, and should be a top flight side. Benitez of all people will know this, and will look to strengthen his squad over the summer break.

Expectations of Newcastle will be high next season, and a mid table finish will be the minimum expectation to many around St James’.

Here we look at TWO players Newcastle may target next summer to improve the quality of the squad in the northern city.

Andre Gray

The form of Burnley striker has been extremely impressive since his move from Brentford at the beginning of last season, and the strikers goals ensured Burnley’s return to the Premier League.

This season Gray has continued to impress, and has recorded 8 Premier League strikes in 24 appearances this time out. Gray has scored a number of key goals for the Clarets, and has helped to ensure Burnley’s likely top flight survival.

Reports emerged last month that Burnley were struggling to tie their star striker to a new deal, with Newcastle one of the clubs reportedly interested in the player. Gray has been touted for an England call up in the coming months, and a move to Newcastle may be the place in which the former non league striker realises his international dream.

Spurs have shown an interest in the player, so to pull a deal off would be a real coup for the Geordie club. Gray is a special talent, and would add a dynamism to the Newcastle side not seen on Tyneside for a long time.

His movement is extremely impressive, and the striker will more often than not take chances that are presented to him. A partnership with the impressive Matt Ritchie could prove deadly, and with Dwight Gayle also on the books, Newcastle would be a side full of goals. Gray will not come on the cheap, but Newcastle will have funds to spend this summer.

Burnley parted with roughly £9 million to acquire the player, so will expect a return on this figure. £20 million should be more than enough to secure his signature.

Ryan Shawcross

Newcastle’s centre half pairing of Jamaal Lascelles and Grant Hanley have been consistent throughout the season, with the former included in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.

Hanley has some top flight experience with Blackburn, and Lascelles featured prominently for the Magpies in their forgetful relegation season.

Benitez understands the importance of a solid back line in Premier League football, and should turn to the experienced Ryan Shawcross to bolster his back four.

A product of the famous Manchester United academy, Shawcross joined Stoke in 2008, going on to make 300 appearances for the club.

The 29-year-old did enough to be appointed captain of the club in 2010 by former manager Tony Pulis, but the solid defender may look to a fresh challenge this summer after almost ten years in the Potteries.

Shawcross’ experience and leadership qualities would be invaluable to Rafa Benitez’s side, and a move to Newcastle would be a serious statement of intent by the club. Shawcross’ Stoke contract runs until the summer of 2018, and The Express recently reported that the Potters were set to open talks with their captain in the hope of securing him on a longer deal.

Stoke will hold the upper hand in regard to retaining their influential skipper, but the player would be wise to consider any offers that come his way in the summer.