Newcastle United will be hoping they can take the Championship by storm under Rafa Benitez and win promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking next season. 

Last season was poor to say the least for the Magpies and their loyal fans, but there is reason for optimism this season, with the club keeping Benitez as manager a crucial piece of business as we head into summer.

Benitez has already began shaping his squad, moving Andros Townsend on and bringing in numerous new signings to bolster his options.

Many will be expecting Newcastle to romp to the title, but as we all know, the Championship is a tough nut to crack. Rafa Benitez and his management team will need to ensure they get the best out of their squad, which will include settling on a best 11 and keeping some consistency in the squad.

Here, FLW writer Lee Connor gives his opinion on the first XI which would lead Newcastle United to glory next season...

GK - Matz Sels

With Tim Krul looking increasingly likely to move on, goalkeeping duties will be fought out between new boy Sels, Karl Darlow, and Rob Elliott.

However, Benitez would not have spent a decent chunk of money on the Belgian if he didn't intend on playing him, so I fully expect to see Sels line up in goal for the opening game of the season and beyond.

At 24, he is still relatively young in goalkeeping terms, but will be hoping to get off to a solid start and make the number one jersey his own as the season progresses.

RB - Alvaro Arbeloa

The Spanish international has been linked with moves all over Europe, including AC Milan, but a move to the North East could still be a possibility.

Daryl Janmaat is highly likely to be of interest to numerous clubs as the summer progresses, meaning an opening at right back could well be available, while new signing Jesus Gamez is unproven at it stands.

If Benitez did manage to convince the former Real Madrid and Liverpool man to join him at St James Park, it really would be an excellent move. Arbeloa is far too good for the Championship, and would no doubt be one of the best players in the league if he was to sign.

CB - Jamal Lascelles

The former Nottingham Forest man came into his own towards the end of last season after a rocky start, and should be a certain starter under Benitez next season.

Lacelles will excel in the Championship, where his power and leadership skills should see him become one of the top performers across the entire league.

If Lascelles can form a solid partnership with someone, then Newcastle could well be in good stead at the back as the season moves along.

CB - Tom Lees

Newcastle are being linked with a host of new defenders, and added Isaac Hayden to the ranks this week to bolster their defensive options further.

However, despite Grant Hanley's name being mentioned, Newcastle should make a move for one of the best central defenders in the league last season in Tom Lees.

The Sheffield Wednesday man was superb at the heart of the Owls defence as they came so close to promotion, and is just the sort of defender a team just coming into the Championship needs.

Lees would not come cheap, but funds are hardly at a premium for the Magpies, and Lees would definitely improve the team.

LB - Massadio Haidara

Haidara might not have made as many appearances as he would have liked last season, but he should have more than enough in the locker to be a star in the Championship.

The French under-21 international will need to settle into Championship football early, but it might well be the season which he really settles in England finds his top form.

There is no doubt Haidara is a talent, he just needs to show it more, and this year could be the year he shines in a black and white shirt.

CM - JonJo Shelvey

There is no doubting Shelvey is above the quality level required in the Championship, and if Newcastle keep hold of him, they will have the basis of an excellent central midfield.

Shelvey has England caps and was a big money buy last season, but was unable to do enough to prevent the club being relegated.

If Rafa Benitez can get Shelvey playing to his potential and consistently, he could dominate the midfield areas against nearly every opponent in the league. Shelvey should be keen himself to put his marker down on the team so should go well next term.

CM - Jeff Hendrick

While the Magpies have Jack Colback and Vurnon Anita as options in the middle of the park, there is no doubt another new addition would be ideal. With that in mind, Jeff Hendrick would be a top class purchase.

Hendrick was one of the stars of Ireland's team in Euro 2016, while last season for Derby he excelled due to his energy and drive from the middle of the park.

With Shelvey's on ball skills, partnering him with a player like Hendrick could prove too much for most of the teams in the Championship to overcome.

RW - Matt Ritchie

The new signing from Bournemouth is one of the standout buys of the entire January transfer window, and he should be absolutely brilliant back in the Championship.

Ritchie will offer Benitez options across the front four attacking positions, and while I have him wide right here, he will no doubt float across and interchange with his team mates.

The Scottish international should be one of the stars of next season, with fans at St James fully expecting him to deliver the goods under Rafa Benitez.

LW - Dwight Gayle

While the former Palace striker has been signed as a forward, Newcastle have options, and Gayle could well find himself utilising his pace down one of the wings.

He is good enough to play there though, where he will be able to interchange with the other players in the attacking positions.

Gayle should be guaranteed goals for Newcastle next season regardless of if he plays as a number 9 or a bit deeper. Either way, he is an excellent signing and again gives Benitez options.

Number 10 - Siem De Jong

Taking the assumption that both Moussa Sissoko and Gino Wijnaldum will be moved on, it opens the door for De Jong to step up to the plate.

De Jong endured a miserable first season in English football last season, with a spate of injuries keeping him out for large chunks of the season.

He clearly has tremendous ability though, and if he is played as a number 10 just like he was at Ajax, he might well rediscover the form which saw Newcastle shell out around £6m for his services last year.

FWD - Aleksandar Mitrovic

If there is a league suited to Mitrovic, then it is almost certainly the English Championship.

The big striker should excel and get chances aplenty, with Gayle, Ritchie and De Jong supplying him the ammunition to fire Newcastle to promotion.

Mitrovic showed glimpses last season of exactly the sort of player he can be, and while he is still young and at times needs to keep his emotions in check, there is a real sense that Mitrovic could be one of, if not the top scorer in the league next season.

Newcastle fans, what do you think? Is this 11 good enough? Who would make your starting line-up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!