Our Newcastle fans here in the Transfer Tavern are hoping that Rafa Benitez can pull some rabbits out of the hat before the window shuts on Wednesday.

Newcastle are in desperate need of strengthening as they continue to slide down the table. It’s been a tough couple of windows for our local Geordies in the bar, and many of the punters are still surprised that Benitez is still there. It looks as if the latest takeover talks have all fallen through, giving the Spaniard just a few days to come up with some answers to the questions his team have been posing all season.

Nothing will be higher on his list of priorities than a striker with the Magpies failing to find the net on a regular occurrence. However, to release more funds, some players have to go and Benetiz could take his pick of the underperforming stars in his squad.

With that in mind, our landlord takes a better look at two players that should be shown the door by Wednesday night…

Jonjo Shelvey

The former Liverpool midfielder has not had the best of seasons back in the Premier League after his excellent showing in the Championship. Having been sent off twice already in the first half of the season, it kind of set the tone for his campaign.

Benitez could look to move the inconsistent midfielder on with his game time declining as the season goes on, with a host of clubs surely looking to take the player on elsewhere.

Aleksandar Mitrovic

The striker is much loved by our fans in the bar with his take no prisoners approach to the game. While a little hot-headed at times, the Serbian has seen his game time reduced to just six substitute appearances and a league cup game, although he has bagged two goals in that time.

Benitez needs strikers to find the back of the net and Mitrovic alongside the rest of the forwards haven’t done that regularly enough to warrant staying beyond this window.