It's Hammer-time for Mitrovic

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Aleksandar Mitrovic is hoping Newcastle United can return to winning ways against West Ham on Saturday.

The Magpies have gone six Barclays Premier League games without a victory, although ended a run of four successive single-goal defeats with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Manchester United on Tuesday.

Mitrovic was on target against the Red Devils, stroking home his fourth goal of the season from the penalty spot, and the Serbian striker knows Newcastle have to build on that result when the Hammers come to Tyneside.

"West Ham is very important," he told nufc.co.uk.

"We need to recover and focus on that game so we can win.

"It's a tough game against a good team. West Ham play well and have good players. They are strong from set-pieces and we need to make sure we prepare for the game as well as we can.

"In the past few weeks we have played well but we have not won, so it is really important for us to get a good result this time."

The former Anderlecht front man praised the St. James' Park crowd following the draw against Manchester United.

And Mitrovic believes the home support could also have a big role to play this weekend as he looks to add to his goalscoring tally against the Hammers.

"We're back at St. James' Park and we have not won a here in a few games so we need to get the win for the team and for the supporters," he continued.

"We need to use the crowd and get them behind the team by playing well and scoring goals - we do this and we can win.

"If we win the game, great. If I score as well, perfect."