Steve Harper: 'Newcastle boss Steve McClaren given time if performances good'

Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper has claimed that the club's owners will give manager Steve McClaren time to get it right at St James' Park, but only if the players perform well.

The Magpies have managed just one win in 10 Premier League games.

The team's misery continued when they lost 3-0 to arch rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, their sixth consecutive defeat to the Black Cats.

"While the performances are okay then I think [McClaren] will be given time," The Shields Gazette quotes Harper as saying. "If that were to change then I think it would speed up any action they were going to take.

"The frustrating thing is there are signs there, Newcastle just need a 90-minute performance."

Newcastle will take on Stoke City in the Premier League on Saturday.