Newcastle United have enjoyed a phenomenal start to the Championship campaign and are already the Champions-elect for a lot of people.

The Magpies, under the guidance of experienced Champions League winning manager Rafa Benitez, shrugged off a slow start and now are flying at the summit of the second tier.

Nine consecutive wins - eight of which have come in the league - have seen Newcastle storm to the top of the table and they now have opened a five point gap over second-placed Brighton and Hove Albion.

Furthermore they have a nine point cushion from third place already, despite just being 17 games into the new season.

While things are looking good, Rafa Benitez is experienced enough to know that the job isn't done yet.

He might make some moves in January to avoid complacency and ensure that his side definitely win promotion back to the top flight.

Here are two that he could sell and two others that he could bring in this January.

OUT - Cheick Tiote

Cheick Tiote just does not feature in Rafa Benitez's plans and it would be mutually beneficial if he left.

After several years of good service for the Magpies, the Ivory Coast international is simply surplus to requirements now and should leave for his own benefit and to free up some wage space.

After just 15 minutes of football this year, the 30-year-old will probably be open to an exit from St James' Park with a number of clubs such as Rubin Kazan, Burnley and a couple of Chinese outfits possibly rekindling their interest in the central midfielder in January.

IN - Charlie Taylor

If we are being incredibly harsh and picking one area which Newcastle could strengthen, it's probably left back.

Having said that, Paul Dummett is having a good season, Massadio Haidara is recovering from a long-term injury and Achraf Lazaar is one for the future but Newcastle have been linked with a move for Leeds defender Charlie Taylor.

The 23-year-old could be available on the cheap as he enters the last six months of his contract but Newcastle would have to fight West Brom for his signature.

OUT - Daryl Murphy

Newcastle plucked Ipswich's best player in the summer but they don't even use him.

A combination of injuries and the form of Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic has limited the Irishman to just one appearance for the Magpies so far this season.

The 33-year-old should leave in January to further his own career needs and a return to goal-shy Ipswich would be the perfect reunion.

IN - Ravel Morrison

This is a transfer that is likely to split opinion in the Newcastle camp but you cannot deny Ravel Morrison's extraordinary talent as a footballer.

The central midfield playmaker is a magician on the pitch and has the skill and pace to elegantly glide through the defence, creating and scoring goals at will when he's on form.

The 23-year-old is a troublemaker though, which saw him axed from Manchester United and West Ham, but if he can sort his disciplinary issues out then he could become one of the best players in England.

 

Newcastle fans - would you take these 2? Would you sell the other 2? What business do you need to do in January? Let us know in the comments below...