Norwich vs Newcastle: Rafa Benitez warns players their careers could be ruined by relegation

The Spaniard has taken one point from his opening two games in charge at St James' Park

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez (Getty)

Rafael Benitez has warned his Newcastle players that their careers will be left in tatters if they cannot save the club from relegation.

Newcastle are three points from safety after a run of seven successive defeats away from St James’ Park and face fourth-bottom Norwich this weekend in another game with potentially huge consequences.

Supporters have railed against the club's demise and questions remain about the heart of those players currently in the squad.

Newcastle have been keen under their owner Mike Ashley to develop talent that can be sold on for a profit, and have stuck to a policy of not buying players over the age of 25.

It has led to the club being perceived as a stepping stone, with the likes of Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Debuchy being sold on at a profit, regardless of the effect upon the team.

Benitez, who only took over the recreated position of manager on March 11, has so far been unable to truly arrest the club's fortunes, claiming a point from his first two games against Leicester City and Sunderland.

However, after holding meetings with squad members, he insisted they do understand what implications relegation would bring - that it would be a scar on their CV and affect their chances of a move to a different club.

They know that we are responsible for the situation

&#13; <p>Rafael Benitez</p>&#13;

“Because we are professionals it is the CV, the money, everything so it's not easy when you're not doing well at your job to get a better job than where you are now,” said Benitez.

“They know that we are responsible for the situation, they know that the next year if something is wrong they have to do their best to change things.

”It will not be easy to say: 'Oh I will go.' They lose value. The players lose value. I don't think that anyone wants to go down because it will be bad for everyone if we go down.

“I think that they already knew. They have enough experience so I think they already know. We have players here and they have been in football for a while.

“The other day I had a conversation with two of them - it's very clear, so it's not necessary to explain too many things. Then after that I had a conversation with another three, and the same feeling, so they know how important it is to stay and they want to stay in the Premier League.

“I have spoken to all of them and they realise it is important. They are professionals, they have been here for a while, and they know that the fans are fantastic when everything is fine.

“To feel the passion of the fans supporting you when you are doing well is something maybe you won't find at other places. So you have fans that are supporting the team, and they (the players) know that this is the target – to stay in the Premier League and to enjoy this with the fans.”

Benitez’s hopes of leading Newcastle to safety suffered a major blow in midweek when goalkeeper Rob Elliot damaged his ACL on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.

Karl Darrow, who has played just once in the Premier League, will replace him at Carrow Road. Benitez will also turn to Moussa Sissoko, targeted by supporters for a perceived poor attitude, to fill in an unfamiliar role at left back because of injuries and suspensions.

“I had a conversation with him yesterday and said "Listen, you are so important, even if you have to play as a striker or a keeper or maybe as a left full back,” added Benitez. “Yesterday we were practising with him in this position. If you ask him what do you prefer, he would say he wants to play as a number ten or a winger or whatever but he knows he is a key player for us and if he has to do it, he will do it.

“When I came and started talking to players individually, one of them was Moussa. He was very positive.”