Danny Happy To Mix It Up

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Danny Simpson believes his versatility could be a useful tool this season, as Newcastle continue their preparations for a busy campaign both at home and abroad.

The 25-year-old played the full 90 minutes of United's 1-0 friendly win over Monaco on Monday night - the first half at centre-half before switching to his more natural right-back role after the break.

And Simpson, who was a near ever-present for the Magpies during the 2011/12 term, knows he may be asked to step into different roles in the coming months, with a Europa League campaign adding to the Club's league and cup commitments.

"It's good to be able to slot into different roles when you're needed to," the former Manchester United youngster told nufc.co.uk, ahead of Saturday's friendly against Fenerbahce.

"Especially this season, it could be really useful. We are going to have a lot of games with Europe on top of everything else and so it's going to be tough.

"I'm sure at times due to injuries, suspensions or whatever, there's going to be people playing for positions.

"It's nice to be able to do that and to give the gaffer another option in case of emergencies. He knows I can play left or right-back, and if I have to in an emergency then I will slot into centre-back too."

Simpson is expected to have some part to play in Saturday's fixture with Fenerbahce (7.30pm kick-off local time) at SC Ritzing, in Austria.

And the full-back is expecting a stern examination from the Turkish giants on just how far United have progressed over the last few weeks.

"Our plan is to step it up in every friendly," he explained.

"The stats from Monaco were improved from the first game, and we will have to do more again when we play Fenerbahce.

"They will be a good team, a strong team. We've had four or five days to work on some stuff.

"We've got a few sessions in and it has prepared us well for Fenerbahce, because that will be a tough test."