Rafael Benitez has insisted that Newcastle United "still have great potential" to become a Premier League force if given the right financial backing.

The Magpies ended a nine-match winless run last weekend by coming out on top 3-2 against West Ham United, leaving them one point above the relegation zone.

United boss Benitez has set his sights far higher than their current 15th-place standing, however, as he believes that the North-East outfit can become top-eight regulars if he is allowed to bring in a certain calibre of player.

"I think that this club still have great potential," The Telegraph quotes him as saying. "If we do the things that we have to do now in January and we stay in the Premier League, it's one of the teams that has to be in the top eight. Watching the table and the size of the other teams. But we have to be sure we understand that this is a crucial time for us."

"How many players do I want? It depends. I know sometimes you have a target and you cannot get your target. You have to be sure that we have three or four positions and we bring someone that can give us something different. I think it will be positive.

"If you talk about the massive money that has been spent in football in these years, maybe it is not easy. But you never know. To improve teams like Newcastle, if you do the right things it is enough to be stronger and bigger and compete.

"If you spend £200m, £300m every year, obviously even if you make mistakes you have a good team, but without spending so much money, you can still improve and do well. That is my idea if we are capable to stay in the Premier League."

Amanda Staveley's PCP Capitals Partners group is in the process of attempting to buy Newcastle from owner Mike Ashley.