Simpson - Focus on staying up

Simpson: Wants focus

Newcastle full-back Danny Simpson has urged his team to concentrate on staying in the Premier League rather than harbouring hopes of a European place.

The Magpies are currently sat in the top half of the league table in ninth place, tantalisingly close to the Europa League places, however despite their position they are still just seven points off the relegation zone.

Alan Pardew's side have continued their form under their new boss following the departure of Chris Hughton at the start of December, and are in a good position to challenge for the top seven.

Simpson however maintains that the newly promoted side must not get ideas above their station and should instead focus on their primary objective at the start of the campaign.

Commitment

"If we play like we did on Sunday and show that type of commitment we have a good chance," he said.

"We've had lads missing and the ones who have came in have done a very good job. Look at us as a squad and I think we could.

"We'll take it game by game. You know what this league is like, you have to take it one game at a time. It's so tight.

"We just have to build on what we have up until the end of the season. Hopefully we'll finish as high as we can."