Rafa Benitez 'happy' to have Mike Ashley back at St James' Park | OneFootball

Rafa Benítez has offered Newcastle owner Mike Ashley a tentative peace offering after their biggest win of the season at the weekend.

The Magpies beat Cardiff 3-0 on Saturday to climb out of the bottom three and take themselves to within a point of Crystal Palace in 14th.

Ashley was there at St James’ Park to witness the victory and according to a story in the Telegraph, met with Benítez post-match to discuss the game.

The fact that a meeting between the two is seen as such a step forward for the club shows just how much their relationship has strained over the past months.

Ashley has reportedly told Benítez to sign a one-year contract extension before he offers up funds for transfers – the Spaniard has claimed he won’t commit his future until money is made available.

But Benítez admitted to the Telegraph that he was pleased to see the retail magnate and is now looking forward to their upcoming matches.

“It’s fine having the owner back at games,” Benitez said. “It will not change my game plan, it will not change my substitutions, but it could be good if he comes. I certainly don’t think it is a bad thing.

“I don’t have any problems [if he wants to reengage] I’m open to any good ideas. “We can still have a successful season. I have belief that this team will stay up.

|If I seem happier and more positive, it is because we have won and we have taken three points. We have scored three goals and kept a clean sheet, I have to be positive.”

The Tyneside outfit face a tough few weeks, with an FA Cup fourth round clash with Watford before Manchester City and Tottenham in the space of four days.