Rafa believes he’s on the money

League that they will go along with whatever is decided under the circumstances.

Premier League officials are in discussions with both clubs and an answer is expected tomorrow.

It is not just the feelings of the players that are the issue, with the club acutely aware that although they are playing away, there could be potentially sensitive activity at the crash RAFA BENITEZ believes he will be given cash to spend in the New Year to boost his relegationthreatened squad.

The Newcastle boss is confident that owner Mike Ashley will loosen the purse strings and hand over a tasty transfer kitty now that he has seen with his own eyes the problems Benitez is facing.

Ashley has attended Newcastle’s last five games in which they have failed to win any of them and not scored in four. site. A club source said that Leicester are concerned about playing at such a delicate time, even though it is an away match.

Leicester would travel to the game on Friday and, with Cardiff having to make normal match arrangements, the decision on whether to go ahead cannot be left much longer.

The feeling is that Leicester’s players are ready to put their heartache to one side and try to Saturday’s goalless draw at Southampton equalled the club’s worst league start in 120 years – with no victories in their first 10 games.

Benitez feels he has been badly let down by his chairman in the last few transfer windows, particularly in the summer when he spent less than any of his Premier League rivals.

The Spaniard has been holding a series of start the difficult process of getting back to business.

They didn’t train yesterday but spent a large part of the day at the club’s training ground before visiting the stadium.

The players and manager Claude Puel joined Vichai’s son Aiyawatt and widow Aimon in paying their respects and looking at the thousands of floral tributes and scarves left at the stadium by grieving fans. meetings with his scouting team in recent weeks and identified several January targets.

Having been in regular contact with managing director Lee Charnley, Benitez is now under the impression Ashley will back him, although no specific figure has been mentioned.

The Toon manager remains to be convinced the controversial retail magnate shares his own ambitions for the club.

But he knows that Ashley is desperate to avoid relegation as Newcastle’s value would plummet with the prospect of Championship football.

The Magpies are second from bottom and Benitez is determined not to get cut adrift before he has the chance to reshape his squad.

He said: “We have to be mentally strong and carry on to be sure that in January we are in a good position and then hopefully we can improve and see where we are.” STRUGGLING: Benitez