Newcastle United boosted their chances of avoiding an instant return to the Championship following their hugely important and impressive 1-0 win against Manchester United at St James' Park on Sunday.

The Magpies came into the clash against the Red Devils in the relegation zone and with the worst home record in the Premier League this season, but Matt Ritchie's goal proved to be the difference between the two teams as the Tyneside outfit moved two points clear of the bottom three.

Rafa Benitez’s men are by no means safe after the result, but the performance and scoreline will certainly lift the club as a whole ahead of some crucial matches both on their own turf and on the road over the course of the next three months, as they look to remain in the top flight.

While the club has plenty left to play for in the coming weeks as they look to reach the magic 40-point mark that should guarantee their survival, there are a number of their players that will be fighting hard to prove they have a future with the Toon – especially if they do stay up – with that looking to be in severe doubt for some right now.

Here are three Newcastle players that have 11 matches left to save their Magpies careers…

Karl Darlow

It was well documented that Rafa Benitez wanted to bring a new goalkeeper to St James' Park during the summer transfer window, but when that didn't happen he was left with a straight choice between Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow between the sticks.

The 27-year-old has played 10 Premier League matches for the Magpies this season, and he was dropped from the side following the 1-0 defeat at home to Everton, before returning three matches later.

With loanee Martin Dubravka already impressing against Manchester United on Sunday and youngster Freddie Woodman so highly-rated, Darlow needs to prove in the final 11 top flight games this term that he still has a future with the club beyond the summer.

Chancel Mbemba

The 23-year-old has had a confusing career with Newcastle having played 33 times in the Premier League when they suffered relegation in the 2015/16 campaign, but just on 12 occasions for them in the Championship this term.

If the defender was hoping his fortunes would change on the club's return to the top flight this term he has been left bitterly disappointed, having played just nine times and having failed to make the squad since the goalless draw against Brighton and Hove Albion on December 30.

The DR Congo international did play 90 minutes against Chelsea in the FA Cup last month, and he will need more opportunities like that one in the final 11 matches if he is to prove he has a long-term future at St James' Park.

Mohamed Diame

With less than 18 months remaining on his contract at St James' Park and having only featured sparsely in the early stages of the current campaign – often receiving disapproval for his displays from Magpies supporters – there looked to be no way back for the 30-year-old.

However, the midfielder was handed a rare starting role in the 3-2 win against West Ham United on December 23 – where he got on the score-sheet – and he hasn't looked back since.

The Senegal international has been hugely impressive in the middle of the park for the team, keeping Jonjo Shelvey and Mikel Merino out of the team at different points, but those all-action displays certainly haven't guaranteed that he will be staying beyond the end of the season.

Considering his deal runs out in 2019 and he turns 31 in June, Diame still has lots to prove in the final 11 matches to earn a new deal, otherwise the Tyneside outfit could choose to cash in on him in the summer while they still can.

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