New deal for Biscan

Biscan's current contract expires at the end of the season and he was expected to leave during the summer. However, recent performances from the Croatian have persuaded Benitez to offer him a new one year deal with the option of a second year.

Benitez said: "I have talked with Igor in the last week about my idea, and he knows my idea.

"Igor is a good player but he needs confidence. If you aren't playing all the time, then you need a strong mentality and to work hard in training and he has done that.

"I think he'll play in a lot of the games between now and the end of the season, especially with Dietmar Hamann being injured.

"I read in an interview he was saying he is happier now playing in central midfield, and I think that is his real position."

German side SV Hamburg are still hopeful of signing Biscan on a free transfer at the end of the season.