Newcastle United's Cheick Tiote: 'We cannot lose our focus'

Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote has insisted that his side cannot let the international break disrupt the momentum the club had built in the Premier League.

The Magpies had failed to record a victory in any of their opening eight matches of the campaign, but have won two of their last four matches with victories over Norwich City and Bournemouth to round into form, despite a defeat to bitter rivals Sunderland.

Tiote believes that his side have to maintain the form they showed before the break to keep climbing the Premier League table.

"[The international break] came at the wrong time because we beat Bournemouth in the last game, and we had such belief in the team after the game," he told Sky Sports News.

"It wasn't an easy game, but when you win a game like that you get some more belief.

"We were unlucky because it was the international break, but now we need to focus and get ready for the game at the weekend."

Newcastle face high-flying Leicester City later today at St James' Park.