Steve McClaren has tipped his old club Newcastle United to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
McClaren's Derby County side faces promotion favourites Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday (3pm).
It will be his first return since he was sacked by Newcastle in March last year having won only six of his 28 league games.
Newcastle went on to be relegated but McClaren expects them bounce straight back.
"It was unfortunate them going down and I think they will bounce straight back, and they will be stronger when they do," he said.
"Rafa (Benitez) has come in, got control, sorted a lot out, had a busy, busy summer, which was needed, and changed a lot of things.
"They are reaping the benefits of that, and that's why they are up there in the top two."
Asked if he was surprised that Benitez stuck with Newcastle following relegation, McClaren added: "No, absolutely not.
"He must have got a lot of reassurances, and once he got that it is a great club to manage. It is a Premier League club and I think in a few months they will be back there."
Newcastle sit second in the Championship, 13 points ahead of Derby.