Paco urges Magpies to build on momentum

After losing their first two games back in the Premier League, the Magpies got their season up and running with a 3-0 win over West Ham United at St. James’ Park a fortnight ago.

Next up are a Swans outfit perched just a single place higher than Newcastle in the table, Paul Clement’s side having also posted their first victory of the campaign last time out.

Added to a strong end to the 2016/17 season – in which they racked up four wins in their final five outings to pull away from relegation trouble – Moreno expects Swansea to be full of confidence at the Liberty Stadium, but Rafa Benitez’s No. 2 is eager for the Magpies to approach the clash in spirited mood themselves.

“Swansea are doing well. They finished last season doing very, very well. They are a good side – there is no doubt about that,” he said. “They have a good manager, so it is going to be a tough game for us.

“Their momentum looks good, but after our game (against West Ham), I think our momentum can start to be good. So, we have to continue and be sure we have the same commitment, the same passion and the same intensity we showed in the last game. That is our priority now.”

Though DeAndre Yedlin and Florian Lejeune are likely to be back in contention on Sunday, the Magpies will be without Chancel Mbemba, who was forced off during the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 2-2 draw against Tunisia earlier this week.

With Paul Dummett also absent, the Magpies’ coaching staff will need to look elsewhere when choosing a left-back, but Moreno is unperturbed.

“Obviously, we are managing different options, but we are still to decide. We are training with different options, as well,” he said.

“Hopefully, we have a solution. It’s not a massive problem for us, I think. We have enough players to play there and we will put out a strong team, for sure.”