Simpson welcomes international break

Newcastle defender Danny Simpson believes international breaks have had a positive effect on his team this season.

The Magpies have won two of three matches this term following international respites, defeating both Fulham and Blackburn while also drawing away to QPR.

“Every international break so far, we’ve gone into it with a good performance and picked up points,” Simpson told his club’s official website.

“And even more importantly, we’ve managed each international break well. We’ve trained hard and had rest.”

“We’ve balanced it out well so I’m sure we’ll do that again because obviously going to Manchester City will be tough.”

Third-placed Newcastle face the league’s only other undefeated side, leaders Manchester City, next weekend, and Simpson insists his club will be fresh and full of confidence for the clash at Etihad Stadium next Saturday.

“We haven’t got a game for over a week but we’ll go into City as one of the two unbeaten teams in the league,” the 24-year-old right-back said.

“And we go there with nothing to lose and just full of confidence.”