Rafael Benitez has admitted that Newcastle United need to bring in a new central defender soon.
Benitez has allowed stalwarts Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor to leave this summer and as a result, the Magpies are currently in the market to sign a new central defender before the start of the upcoming Championship campaign.
Reports have claimed that Newcastle are very keen on securing the services of Blackburn Rovers star Grant Hanley but the Magpies have faced a lot of frustration in the chase for the defender as Rovers seem to be constantly haggling over the price.
While Newcastle have not yet given up on their hopes of signing Hanley, the Magpies are planning alternatives for the Scottish international and Sheffield Wednesday defender Tom Lees has also been mentioned as a target.
Benitez has now gone on to speak regarding the central defensive situation at Newcastle and has admitted that he now needs to bring in reinforcements soon.
The Spaniard told the Chronicle, “I hope so. We are working hard. Lee Charnley knows we need bodies to have all of the positions covered.
“We are short of centre-backs. We had to manage that with the minutes and positions. It is clear that in some positions we need bodies. I think we will have somebody soon.”
