Rafael Benitez: I do not know if I'll survive a defeat against Wigan Athletic - Telegraph.co.uk

Referring to Telegraph Sport's revelation this week that Jürgen Klopp heads a list of potential replacements, Benítez said: "You put names in the press, 200 names, it doesn't matter. My job is exactly the same. After winning, you can have better comments in the media in ­general, but that's part of football. If you win, it's fine. If not, people start talking."

Asked if he had received a guarantee that he will see out the season Benítez said: "I cannot give you an answer. Why? I have to concentrate on the next game. I have a contract until the end of the season and we can be talking and talking, but all I can do is win games."

Benítez may not have had assurances from Abramovic but he did not have the air of a man on borrowed time on Friday, his mood lightened perhaps by welcome news from the treatment room. Demba Ba is likely to play against Wigan wearing a mask to protect his broken nose and Petr Cech will start despite a hairline fracture to his finger.

John Terry will miss out with a knee inflammation but David Luiz is fit having featured for Brazil against England. Eden Hazard returns from suspension.

Benítez continued his policy of declining to discuss off-field matters including Lampard's chances of being offered a contract extension - "I'm not here to change things outside the pitch. I'm here to improve players," — and was upbeat about prospects for the rest of the season.

He remains convinced that recent results can be blamed on individual mistakes and injuries rather than fundamental weaknesses. Against Southampton and Reading two-goal leads were squandered through defensive errors, and at St James's Park they were twice caught out by counter-attacks.

"We have analysed every game. Before, we were doing really well and the team was consistent. We were scoring goals. Then we were making mistakes so we asked why. Now we have to repeat the same message and train on the pitch, as we did today.

"We have to find the balance. We are the second best team scoring goals in the Premier League, and the second best in conceding the least goal them as well. We have to carry on and keep the balance we had." In the meantime three points is the best message he can send Abramovich. He will not expect a quick reply.

Di Santo can trouble Chelsea, says Martinez

Roberto Martínez has warned Chelsea that Franco di Santo will return to Stamford Bridge as 'a man' after the Wigan forward joined Lionel Messi on international duty with Argentina.

Di Santo, a £4 million signing from Chelsea in 2010, faces his former club today with his manager insisting he is now showing the promise displayed as a teenager.

"Franco has become a man and is ready to take his game to another level. He's come back from Sweden after sharing a dressing room with Messi, Higuaín and Agüero. He's got the potential to be a vital member of that Argentina squad."