The concerns of the Newcastle United supporters were intensified on Wednesday night after their side suffered a 4-0 pre-season defeat against Braga - a result which emphasised their need to bring in new players before the season gets underway. 

Although it would be foolish to read too much into any pre-season result, the 4-0 defeat is certainly a cause for concern for Newcastle ahead of the new season. Naturally, the defensive aspect of the result is the most alarming to ponder over, but the Magpies have enough strength at the back to suggest that the result is not a sign of things to come.

However, their lack of cutting edge in attack was a standout feature of the previous Premier League campaign, so Benitez should be in the market for new talent in the final week of the window.

With that in mind, Newcastle should be on high alert after The Times journalist Paul Joyce confirmed that Kevin Mirallas is one of four Everton players who have been told to train separately from the first-team.

The news is hardly surprising following a season in which Mirallas was frozen out of the first-team squad at Goodison Park, so he will certainly be looking to force a move away from the club before the window slams shut.

And Newcastle could be the perfect destination for the 60-cap Belgium international to resurrect his career, as a lack of competition for places should enable him to cement a starting berth.

Although he is typically a left-winger who tends to drift inside onto his favoured right-foot, Mirallas is also an excellent number ten player and a competent right-winger.

His versatility and fluidity of movement in the final-third will certainly enable him to inter-change with the likes of Kenedy and Ayoze Perez in midfield, creating a fresh dynamic at St James' Park which should enable them to improve on their modest record of just 39 goals in the top-flight last season.

Joyce's latest update strongly suggests that Mirallas is finished at Everton and, considering he should be available on a cut-price deal, Mike Ashley cannot have any excuses with regards to a potential deal for a wing-wizard of genuine quality.

Newcastle fans - thoughts? Let us know below!