Newcastle United are currently top of the Championship standings and look on course for an instant return to the Premier League.

The Magpies are seven points clear of third-placed Huddersfield Town with eight matches of the season remaining, and Rafa Benitez’s men are in pole position to win promotion to the top flight less than a year after they suffered relegation.

While there have been a number of impressive performers for the Toon this term, manager Benitez will already be thinking ahead to his transfer plans for the summer if the club does go up.

The Spaniard will know that some of his players are ready to make the step up, but others may not fit into the same category as the Tyneside outfit look to avoid the struggles they have suffered in the Premier League previously.

Here are five Newcastle players that would need to replaced if the club is promoted…

Vurnon Anita

The Dutchman has become something of a regular at right-back this season in the Championship, but after failing to impress in the Premier League – and following some disappointing performances this term – Rafa Benitez could be looking for a new full-back.

Anita struggled against 16-year-old Fulham left-sided player Ryan Sessegnon earlier this month, and that won’t breed confidence for the Spanish manager when he could come up against the likes of Eden Hazard in the top flight.

Paul Dummett

While the left-back is a consistent and committed performer for the club, Rafa Benitez may feel that he needs an upgrade in the position if the club is promoted to the Premier League in order to ensure that they don’t find themselves in another relegation battle.

Newcastle have already been linked with a move for out-of-favour Manchester United star Luke Shaw, which suggests that the Spaniard is already looking at potential signings at full-back – and potentially one that is a bigger threat going forward.

Yoan Gouffran

After often disappointing for the club when they were in the Premier League, the Frenchman made a promising start in the Championship this season which means that he has become something of a regular in the side under Rafa Benitez.

However, despite being an attacking threat earlier in the campaign – he netted three goals in his first nine matches in all competitions – the forward has scored just twice in 2017, and Benitez may not be convinced that the 30-year-old can make the grade in the top flight.

Mohamed Diame

Despite scoring the goal that took them to the Premier League, Diame never made an appearance there for Hull City after moving to St James’ Park in August.

Often deployed behind the striker by Magpies boss Benitez, the 29-year-old hasn’t impressed Toon supporters with some of his performances and just three league goals – something the player must be concerned about too after announcing his retirement from international football earlier this month.

Even though he has proven himself in the top flight before, it may not be enough to convince Benitez he could do the same next season.

Karl Darlow

While the former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper has established himself as the first choice goalkeeper at St James’ Park in the last few months, Rafa Benitez may be unsure as to whether he is consistent enough to make the step up to the Premier League.

It has been something of a rollercoaster year for Darlow – who had often found himself in and out of the team under Benitez until recently – but always seemingly liable to a mistake, the 26-year-old could find himself deputising for a new number one if the Magpes win promotion.

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