By Craig Hope

BACK-to-back defeats at Nottingham Forest and Scunthorpe United were the wake-up call Newcastle United needed to go out and prove their title credentials.

That is the view of loan ace Danny Simpson, and few could argue with his supposition having seen The Magpies string together three consecutive victories to regain top spot going into the recent international break.

And that run, Simpson argues, is testament to a steadfast togetherness and resilient character within the black-and-white dressing room.

"Obviously there's going to be downs and we said after those defeats at Forest and Scunthorpe, 'Let's win three on the bounce, get back top and enjoy the break'," said Simpson as he prepares for Monday night's trip to Preston North End.

"We knew we had the break and wanted to finish on a high and we did that.

"We gave that response to Chris and the fans and have shown character to come back.

"We've got a very strong dressing room and that showed during those three games."

But the Manchester United defender knows that the Geordies can ill afford another slip, adding: "We'd like to think we've had our blip and can find a level of consistency now.

"The first game back at Preston will be tough, most of them are, but we're the form team and it's up to us to take the game to them.

"We'll have another big support and for the fans, as well as ourselves, we're determined to get the win."