The midfielder struggled to make an impact for the club after his January move from Bolton Wanderers, but this season Nolan has come into his own.

And the 27-year-old, an ever-present for Chris Hughton, goes into tonight's game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane looking for another goal, having struck eight times already this season.

Nolan struck in Newcastle's last two games against Scunthorpe United and Doncaster Rovers, and he's hoping to hit double figures over the coming games.

"I've been pleased with the start I've made and the contribution I've made to the team," Nolan told the Gazette.

"As I say, it's only a start. It's such a long, hard season, we've got to keep going and keep plugging away.

"I want to play as many games as I can. I've played in every game so far this season, and that's something I want to keep doing, and, hopefully, I'll keep popping up with goals here and there.

"That's the main thing for me. I think if we can keep playing the way we have over the last few games, I'm sure that we'll win more games than we don't.

"We've got a lot of players out at the moment, and, hopefully, we'll have them back."

And Nolan is hoping Newcastle's travelling fans – having witness defeats at Glanford Park and the City Ground in the club's last two away games – have something to celebrate.

"We went to Nottingham Forest, and they sold 29,000 tickets," added Nolan.

"We'll go to Sheffield United, and it's on Sky, but it'll be sold out.

"Our fans are fantastic – they'll sell out the away end. That's all we ask.

"If we've got them behind us all season, we'll produce something, and have the season they want.

"That's getting back into the Premier League. I can't fault them – they were absolutely fantastic again."