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Benitez thinks he can wake up 'sleeping giant' at Newcastle

Newcastle United is second from bottom, four points adrift of safety, though it has two games in hand.

Newcastle United may be fighting for Premier League survival but manager Rafael Benitez believes he can awaken a "sleeping giant" at St James' Park.

The Premier League struggler is second from bottom, four points adrift of safety, though it has two games in hand as the club prepares to host Sunderland in Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby.

But Benitez, who replaced Steve McClaren last week and oversaw a 1-0 loss at leader Leicester City, feels Newcastle is capable of much more.