Mathieu Debuchy: 'I hope fans stay with us'

Newcastle United full-back Mathieu Debuchy has urged fans to stick with their team as they bid to bounce back from Sunday's defeat in the North East derby.

Alan Pardew's side were beaten 3-0 by local rivals Sunderland at St James' Park in their heaviest defeat to the Black Cats since 1979.

Debuchy has insisted that his squad will work hard to put that performance right quickly and secure Premier League survival, with Newcastle sitting five points above the drop zone.

The French international told The Telegraph: "I can understand that it's very difficult for them, but it's also very difficult for us to take a 3-0 defeat like that.

"But I just want to tell them that we really need their support, it's really important for us so I hope they'll stay with us. We're going to fight until the end.

"We've got a great character in there, this week we'll get out there and get down to work and make sure we win as many games as we can until the end of the season."

Newcastle return to the battle for Premier League points on Saturday against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.