Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has heaped huge praise on his manager Rafa Benitez.

The 22-year-old, who played a key role for the Magpies in their Championship-winning campaign, says that the Spaniard has breathed life into the club following his arrival last year.

The former Gunners youth player recounted an incident from the Newcastle dressing room where Benitez used 'Javier Mascherano' to inspire him to play in a new role.

Hayden said in an interview with The Times: "I don't know what it will be like if he left.

"It's not just the players who have the connection with him, it's the fans who have a massive connection too. He's united the club. Before Rafa came along, a lot of the lads were talking about [how] it wasn't really a good atmosphere between the fans and the manager.

"Steve McClaren wasn't even the manager, he was head coach, and even the fans were sitting there, thinking 'he's not even the manager'. You want someone with the aura, that commanding authority that says 'I'm Newcastle United manager', and Rafa has that. Without Rafa, we wouldn't have got promoted.

"I'd not played centre half in two years, and he said 'we've got injuries, we need you there' and then he said: 'I remember when I had to tell Javier Mascherano to play at centre half [at Liverpool].' That gave me confidence. He's talking to me about things that he's told Mascherano."