Steve McClaren sets Newcastle United target of top-eight finish next season

Newcastle United coach Steve McClaren has insisted that the club must push for a top-eight finish in the Premier League next season.

The Magpies recently made an impressive coup in the transfer market by landing PSV Eindhoven playmaker Georginio Wijnaldum, and the former England boss believes that the club should be doing more than just looking to claim survival in the league.

"The remit here is very, very clear," said McClaren, according to The Guardian.

"But it's much better to be sitting down with the players saying we've got to win something and get in that top eight than saying: 'We've got to stay in this league'."

Newcastle get their Premier League campaign underway at home to Southampton on August 9.