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The Toon skipper believes boss Rafa Benitez is on the same level as City counterpart Pep Guardiola – and has a plan to stop him.

Lascelles has promised the runaway Premier League leaders their toughest test yet against a Newcastle team who turned a corner with their 3-2 win at West Ham.

He said: “We need to make it as difficult as we can, small fouls and we need to make it physical with them. Don’t let them play pretty football.

“We did the same against Arsenal. They wanted to play the nice passes and we wanted to get physical and get in their faces and they didn’t like it.

“Their fans turned on them, our fans started picking up and we were pretty unlucky not to get something at the end. That’s the approach we might take.”

Asked how Newcastle boss Benitez compares to Guardiola, Lascelles said: “For me they are on the same level in what they have done.

“I’m sure our manager will know exactly what he will throw at us. We are confident, we are a young team and will work them to the ground and be physical with them.

“We have nothing to lose, they are the ones who have pressure to win the title. That’s the difference. They are probably thinking it’s an easy game but it’s not.

“We know we will have our hands full defensively. We’ve been on a poor run but in the last couple of weeks we have shown a lot of personality and character.”