Rafa Benitez’s decision to stay on at Newcastle United was met with widespread delight by the Magpies faithful.

The Spaniard was unable to save the Magpies from relegation last season, but Newcastle fans were generally thrilled that the former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager had committed to trying to get the club back into the Premier League.

And, 15 games into the Sky Bet Championship season, it’s looking good for Magpies fans.

Their side are top of the division having won 11 of their opening 15 league games – the latest of which a 2-1 success at Preston on Saturday.

They have won six games on the spin in the league, and have a three point lead over second place Brighton.

Add in their run to the League Cup quarter-finals, where they will fancy their chances away at top-flight strugglers Hull, and Newcastle fans have had an awful lot more to cheer this season compared to last.

However, Benitez may still feel that he needs to add more quality to his squad so they can sustain their march back to the Premier League all the way until May.

Thus, here are THREE midfielders he should look to sign in January…

Christian Atsu

Although Christian Atsu is already at Newcastle, they should make his loan deal a permanent one as soon as possible.

The 24-year-old has impressed in his first couple of months at St James’ Park, and is beginning to look like the player Chelsea thought they bought back in 2013.

Various loan spells have given the Ghanaian international plenty of experience of different leagues, but they haven’t always worked out for the midfielder. Yet he looks invigorated at Newcastle, and could be a crucial member of the squad going forward, both for the rest of this season and beyond.

Although he is on loan until the end of the season, Newcastle should get a permanent deal completed for the 24-year-old in January.

Alan Judge

Alan Judge has been one of the most impressive players in the Championship over the last few years.

The Brentford midfielder made the move to Griffin Park while the Bees were still in League One, but he soon helped the club win promotion to the second tier thanks to seven goals in 22 matches.

But is has been in the Championship, specifically last season, where he has gone from strength to strength.

14 goals in 38 games helped the Bees to an excellent ninth place finish in the division, and Judge was rightly named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year, and indeed the Football League Team of the Year. His season was unfortunately cut short due to a nasty injury, which is also why he has yet to appear this time around.

Newcastle’s transfer policy in the summer saw them sign solid Championship players, and those in the top-flight with proven ability in the Championship.

It has worked so far, and they should consider a move for Judge, like they did in the summer, as they look to win promotion at the first time of asking.

Anthony Knockaert

Like Judge, Brighton’s Anthony Knockaert has been hugely impressive since his move to the AMEX Stadium last January.

The former Leicester man made the move from Standard Liege last winter, but immediately hit the ground running with five goals in the second half of last season.

He has also started this campaign in similar fashion, netting six games in 15 games, as he continues to show what a talented winger he is at this level.

Newcastle expressed an interest in Knockaert during the summer, but were unable to get a deal done, and it’s likely that they’ll go in for one of the Championship’s most exciting players in January.