COMMENT

Newcastle United ended January with a bang as they saw two new arrivals at St James' Park in a bid to try and stave off relegation and secure their place in the Premier League next season. It was a frustrating month for the Magpies, with fans desperate to see manager Rafael Benitez given the financial backing to bring in some quality recruits and bolster what was a threadbare squad after the summer's transfer failings. However the money never saw its way into the Spanish manager's hands, and instead he had to deal with a trio of loanees making their way to Tyneside, in the form of Chelsea winger Kenedy, Leicester City striker Islam Slimani and Sparta Prague goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. On paper, they all look like adequate signings, but in reality the squad were in dire need of some new reinforcements, and there will no doubt be concerns from the Toon Army over whether they are enough to seal survival come the end of the campaign. So how do the new arrivals rate? Here,

Football Insider 

analyses the trio, looking at what they are going to offer Benitez and how they might impact on the first team, including one man whose signing could come at a critical cost.

Click 'reveal' below to see how the first of the new signings is rated

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Kenedy - 7/10

The first signing through the door on Tyneside, Kenedy arrived at St James' Park with a reputation of being a tricky young winger who has so far failed to make the grade at Stamford Bridge. Without a league appearance to his name before making his Newcastle debut against Burnley, there would have been questions over why Benitez felt the need for another man out wide, considering the cash splashed on snapping up Jacob Murphy in the summer. However his first display was an impressive one, and fans will be happy if he can keep up the quality on the flanks. His versatility to be able to play at left back may help if Paul Dummett is ruled out of action again, and the poor form of first team regular Matt Ritchie means the Scotland international is now under yet more pressure to perform.

Click 'next page' below to see how the second of Newcastle's new arrival ranks

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Islam Slimani - 8.5/10

A striker had to be the Magpies' priority this month but it looked as though they were set for disappointment following a failed pursuit for Nicolai Jorgensen, reportedly their top target. However, the club proved fans wrong and secured Slimani's loan arrival in a late deadline day deal, and there will some desperation to see him into the starting XI as soon as possible after Joselu's performances up front. However his struggles at Leicester, with just 13 goals in 46 appearances, eight of which came in his 35 Premier League outings, means this is still a risky move, and there is no guarantee he will hit home the goals to secure safety. Another half a mark taken off for this being a loan deal, but there was no chance the club could or would have secured a permanent deal.

Click 'next page' below to see how the last of Newcastle's signings rates

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Martin Dubravka - 5/10

Benitez made his feelings about securing a new goalkeeper known during the summer, and the pursuit did not end when the January window opened. A late move for Slovakian international Dubravka was secured on deadline day, meaning hot prospect Freddie Woodman was allowed to leave in search of some much needed first team football. However that really is the only redeeming factor about this deal, in what should be viewed as an unnecessary use of time and money by Benitez and the transfer team. Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot are more than capable goalkeepers in the top flight, and when there were much more pressing needs to focus on; a playmaker, a central midfielder and another striker to name but a few, Benitez's desperation to secure a goalkeeper may have cost Newcastle the opportunity to seal another deal. If he performs well there is the option to make the move a permanent deal, but the club already had adequate options in their current squad, and this could be a critical error come the end of the season. In other Newcastle United news,

a quartet must be axed from the starting XI in the Magpies' post-January best XI.