Newcastle defender Steven Taylor out for two months after hamstring surgery

Janmaat, who scored against Watford on the weekend, is one of the many players in McClaren’s squad who has failed to perform so far this season.

Newcastle United lie in 19th position in the Premier League without a win to their name ahead of tomorrow’s encounter with Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup.

“We’re disappointed we didn’t win (against Watford)”.

“That is the kind of characters that will get us performing and winning games”. After Saturdays defeat at Watford Steve McClaren admitted that the team “lack belief”, so it is imperative that this is an area they now concentrate on improving. “It is a massive game for us, no two ways about it”.

“We shouldn’t get sucked in too much”. We know that. “We just felt we had to change something”, said the manager. “The players have got no confidence and it is showing in the results”. “We know that. We’re going to work hard together as a team”.

Siem de Jong says it’s only a matter of time before Newcastle United’s jigsaw pieces start to fit, writes Miles Starforth. A decent display, though, could lead to only his second Premier League start for the club when they face Chelsea on Saturday.

“The reaction from the players – and you need to see this, and it needs to be demonstrated on the field – but three, four, five of them already have come and said, “I don’t want to rest, I want to play”, and that is what we need”.

“With a little bit more luck, it could have been 2-2, especially with my chance with the header and the shot with which I couldn’t get the power in”.