Janmaat Relishing Tyne-Wear Clash

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Daryl Janmaat is no stranger to "intense" local derbies and the Dutchman is relishing Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby clash as Newcastle United travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland (4pm kick-off).

While at former club Feyenoord, their fixture against Amsterdam giants Ajax was billed as a derby and one of the biggest games of the Eredivisie season.

Having experienced his first taste of Tyne-Wear action just before Christmas, Janmaat believes there are many similarities between the two matches.

And the full-back - who is expected to be filling in at centre-half again this weekend - cannot wait to lace up his boots and help the Magpies put an end to a run of four straight defeats against their near-neighbours.

"It's really important to get a result - for us, for the Club and for the fans," Janmaat told nufc.co.uk.

"When I came here I didn't know much about this game but everyone told me straight away that it is the biggest match of the season.

"The game before Christmas was my first derby here and the atmosphere was really good. I like playing in games like that where it is very intense.

"I am used to playing in the derbies between Ajax and Feyenoord. That is very similar to this one - a hard game where there is a lot at stake and the fans really want to win.

"We want to win as well, to help move us back up the table, and we will be doing everything we can to make it happen."