But with the highly-rated Cathro hotly tipped to succeed MK Dons-bound Robbie Neilson at Tyncastle, the Toon chief is bracing himself for an approach.
And Starsport understands Newcastle will not stand in his way if the 30-year-old is offered the job.
Cathro joined the Magpies when Steve McClaren became manager 18 months ago and was one of the few members of his predecessor’s backroom staff to be kept on when Benitez was appointed earlier this year.
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View galleryThe Newcastle boss rates the Scot highly.
He said: “Ian is a great coach. We are happy with him and we will continue with that.
“He is still young, has some experience and has a great future ahead of him.
“But we don’t have any official approach.
“The media are saying Hearts will come in for him but that depends on whether or not their current head coach stays or goes.
“Right now, it is just speculation.”
Newcastle face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground tomorrow night bidding to bounce back from their shock home defeat at the hands of Blackburn and Tuesday night’s EFL Cup KO against Hull.
Midfielder Jack Colback is still ruled out but Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez have been added to the squad which suffered penalty shootout agony at the KCOM Stadium after the two sides could not be separated after two hours.
“We will have to change some players but how many? That has still to be decided,” added Benitez.
“There are no fresh injuries but I am sure there will be some tired legs.”
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