Kevin Keegan has warned Newcastle that they now face a desperate fight against relegation.

The Toon chief reckons that his side need 40 points to beat the drop, and that means they must win four of their last nine matches to be safe.

But after a depressing run of eight games without a win since he took over, Keegan accepts that Newcastle could find themselves in the Championship before he can begin the task of turning the club around.

“People have said it might take fewer than 40 points to be safe this year but I don’t think so. It’s always been 40 points in the past, with one exception, and it will always be 40 points in the future,” he said. “Winning four out of 16 matches wasn’t a big ask, but four from nine is very different.

“We have some big games coming up against sides also at the bottom. If you beat them, you are not only picking up points but you are stopping them getting points.

“We need a win for confidence. If we can get a win, then we can play the way we want to and that will help us.”