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Sat 17 June 2017 19:59, UK

By Matt Bullin

Paul Merson has claimed Newcastle’s goal in next season’s Premier League should be to finish 13th or 14th, and win one of the domestic cup competitions.

The Toon won promotion to the top-flight last term as they finished champions of the Championship.

They were promoted to the Premier League alongside Brighton and Hove Albion and Huddersfield Town.

Merson has claimed that the Magpies should aim to win one of the domestic cups, as well as to retain their top-flight status.

“They’re back where they deserve to be, a big club like Newcastle. I think [their goal should be to] stay up, 13th, 14th,” he told the Chronicle.

“But I say it all the time – I’d love them to have a cup run. I’d just like to have a right go in the cups because they need to win a cup.

“It’s a big football club and to not win a trophy for that long – I don’t want Newcastle to be a club that is just playing to stay in the Premier League and rests everybody in the cup competitions.”

Newcastle’s last season in the top-flight ended in disappointment, as they were relegated come the end of the 2015-16 campaign.

The club has not won a cup since the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2006, but their last domestic cup win came in 1955 as they secured FA Cup glory.

However, the club did reach the final of the FA Cup in 1998 and 1999, which saw them lose out to Arsenal and Manchester United respectively.

However, Toon manager Rafa Benitez has enjoyed a vastly successful managerial career.

The Spaniard guided Valencia to two league titles and a UEFA Super Cup during his time at the helm.

The 57-year-old boss then went on to win the Champions League, the FA Cup and European Super Cup with Liverpool.

Benitez also had successful spells at Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid.

In other Newcastle news, Benitez is eyeing a move for this La  Liga defender.

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