Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has suggested that the loan arrivals of both Martin Dubravka and Kenedy during the January window have helped to lift the club away from a Premier League relegation scrap.

The Magpies found themselves threatened with the drop after a woeful end to 2017 that saw the club finish the year on a run of nine defeats from 12 league matches.

January proved to be a crucial period for the club, though, as they made two notable loan signings and went on a run allowing them to collect 15 points from a possible 21 to move them 10 points clear of the bottom three heading into Sunday's game with Arsenal.

"When you are at the bottom of the table and then you start winning games in the way that we were and with the confidence that the team is playing at the moment... I think we are doing well and hopefully we can carry on," Benitez told reporters.

"Maybe in January when we bought Dubravka and Kenedy, they were giving us different things - competition in different positions. Everyone was trying even harder. I think that was a key factor."

The Magpies currently find themselves in 10th position in the standings with six top-flight games remaining.