Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has suggested that he prefers to be in a fiercely-contested relegation battle rather than going head to head with one team.

Just 11 points separate ninth-placed Bournemouth and bottom-of-the-table side West Bromwich Albion, while Newcastle currently sit in 16th position, one point above the relegation zone.

Benitez has acknowledged that he would prefer the Magpies to be sitting higher in the standings, but the Spaniard has claimed that it is "good news" that so many teams are involved in a battle to remain in the top flight.

The 57-year-old told The Chronicle: "Maybe that's good news. There are too many teams involved.

"Are you asking me if I prefer three or four teams involved in the battle for the drop? Well, if there were two or three teams that were much deeper down the pile perhaps it could be better.

"At least it's not just one team that could be better than you and it's down to them or us to stay up."

Newcastle are next in action when they host Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.