‘Toon worse off if Rafa leaves’

Former Newcastle striker Michael Chopra fears manager Rafa Benitez could leave for pastures new if the club are relegated from the Premier League.

Newcastle face the prospect of being relegated on Wednesday night if Sunderland beat Everton at the Stadium of Light, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.

Chopra, who also had a two-year spell at Sunderland, ending in 2009, is worried Newcastle may struggle in the Championship with the players they have, especially if Benitez departs.

Asked if he thought Benitez will leave if Newcastle are relegated, Chopra told Sky Sports News HQ: “You would think that because other teams will be looking at him.

“People forget he was Real Madrid manager this time last year but I’d like to see him stay if they get relegated because he is a great manager, and if he did stay I believe they would come straight back up.

“But if he goes I think they may struggle in the Championship because they don’t have the type of players they had last time they went down in 2009. They don’t have Kevin Nolan, the Joey Barton, or Andy Carroll; players that know about the Championship and players that are ready to fight for the football club.

“There are too many foreign players where …

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