Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Jamaal Lascelles admits Newcastle United must “sort out” their home form in order to secure promotion - and insists the Magpies “owe Fulham one”.

The Cottagers defeated Newcastle 1-0 at Craven Cottage on the opening day of the season as the Magpies made a slow start to the campaign and they visit Tyneside for the return fixture on Saturday.

Since that early-season stutter, however, Rafa Benitez’s side have risen to the top of the table, with their promotion bid built largely upon their excellent away form.

Yet the Magpies’ results at St James’ Park have been patchy, with the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and, most recently, Bristol City having left St James’ Park with at least a point.

And United captain Lascelles is desperate to see Newcastle start replicating their away form on Tyneside.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Newcastle are unbeaten in 11 games, but they face a seventh-placed Fulham side who have not lost in six and have a play-off spot within their sights.

“Of course,” Lascelles replied when asked if he was looking forward to a home match following United’s three successive away trips.

“We need to put things right back at St James’ Park because in our last home game we didn’t start too well.

“So against Fulham I want us to start well and get on the front foot early on.

“We’re very positive we can extend our unbeaten run.

“It’s about time we sorted out our home form and start really kicking on at St James’ Park.

“We owe Fulham one as well - every game is massive for us, and all we’re looking for is the three points.

“Hopefully that’s what we can deliver.”

A return of seven points from away trips to Brighton and Hove Albion, Huddersfield Town and Reading represented an excellent week’s work for Newcastle.

And Lascelles believes those three results could play a potentially decisive role in the promotion race.

The 23-year-old centre-back added: “If somebody had said to us before these three away games, ‘Would you take seven points?’, we’d have grabbed their hands off.

“All three teams are tough sides, and they’re all looking for promotion - the same as us.

“It’s been a big week because it’s not just been a case of getting three points - it’s been a case of taking three points off other sides as well and creating that gap.

“We want that gap, we want to keep it and increase it.

“Every game’s a cup final and we’re not going to take our foot off the gas at all.

“We’ve put in a great shift this past week - you can tell how tired the boys are.

“The midfield has been excellent this week, looking after the back four, but individually and collectively throughout the whole team I’m really pleased with how everyone has played.

“And now we prepare for Fulham.”