Newcastle United will be hot favourites to win promotion to the Premier League next season following relegation last time out, and for good reason as well. 

With a manager of the calibre of Rafa Benitez and a squad brimming with talent on big wages, anything other than a top two spot will be deemed a failure.

Benitez has already made early moves in the transfer market, shipping out Andros Townsend, while bringing in Matt Ritchie, Dwight Gayle, and recently Jesus Gamez.

However, there is always room for improvement, and with strong rumours circulating about the futures of a few star players like Wijnaldum and Sissoko, Benitez might well look to dip into the market again.

Should either of those two players leave, it will leave the Magpies short of options in the midfield area.

With this in, FLW writer Lee Connor takes a look at THREE central midfielders who would improve Newcastle United...

Fabian Delph

Delph

The England international has fallen out of favour at Manchester City and it is hard to see Pep Guardiola including him in his plans long term.

A move might well be on the cards for Delph, and while dropping down a division might not seem ideal, the chance to represent someone like Newcastle could be an opportunity too good to pass up.

Delph could form a solid English core with Jonjo Shelvey in the middle of the park, allowing the more pacey and technical players to excel further forward. Wages could well be a stumbling block, but he is definitely one to consider for Benitez.

Adlene Guedioura

Adlene Guedioura

The Watford midfielder was in and out of the team last season for the Hornets, and might well be available if the right offer comes along.

He enjoyed his best moment in the FA Cup tie with Arsenal last term, when he rifled in a rocket of a goal to send his side through to the next round, and he has Championship experience from his time with Nottingham Forest before.

Guedioura is a class act, he just needs a regular run in the team. Newcastle might well be the place for him to finally nail down a starting place and show everyone just how good he can be.

Jeff Hendrick

hendrick4

The Derby County midfielder has shot into the limelight following a string of excellent displays in Euro 2016, where it could be argued he was Irelands best player.

Hendrick has the drive and commitment needed to succeed in the middle of the park, especially in a tough league like the Championship.

It would take a decent fee to prize him away from the Rams, but Benitez has already shown he has money to spend and isn't afraid to go and use it, and if he could add someone like Hendrick to his squad, it might just be the final piece in the puzzle for the Magpies.