Andy Cole gives verdict on Newcastle relegation chances

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Newcastle face Leicester at St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.

Former Newcastle United striker Andy Cole has told Yahoo Sport’s In On Goal that he believes his old side will avoid relegation from the Premier League come May 2018.

The Toon play host to Leicester City at St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon, as they look to end a dismal run of form that has seen them pick up one point from a possible 18 with five losses coming in their last six games.

Rafa Benitez has seen his side score just four goals in that time and they will be looking to Saturday’s clash as a winnable fixture against Claude Puel’s Foxes, after having little chance against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Cole, who played for the Magpies for two years between 1993 and 1995, claimed that he is confident that Benitez will guide his side to Premier League safety but ordered the Toon to sign a striker that will score goals.

“I was up there earlier in the season against West Ham,” Cole said. “I believed they were going to have a tough season, but I still do genuinely believe they will stay up because Benitez is a good manager and he will organise them very well.

“If they can get a few more goals, they’ll be okay. They need goals. They need someone with legs up front who can score goals.”

It remains to be seen if Benitez will have money to spend in January, with the club currently in talks over selling Mike Ashley’s ownership to Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners.

Newcastle will be boosted by the return of captain Jamaal Lascelles and Ghana international Christian Atsu on Saturday afternoon, as they look to earn just their fifth Premier League win of the season.

Despite their poor form, they could climb as high as tenth place with a win over the Foxes, as Everton, Southampton, Brighton, Stoke and Bournemouth all sit above them within three points.