But the defender says that would pale into insignificance compared with putting Newcastle United back where they belong – the Premier League.

Simpson's loan at St James's Park was turned into a permanent move last month.

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The 23-year-old will line up for Newcastle for the second time as a fully-fledged United player for the second time at Derby County tonight, having returned from injury against Cardiff City on Friday night.

However, after contract talks initially broke down over a £500,000 switch from Manchester United, the right-back feared he would only be able to do "half a job" at the club.

"It went to the last day – it was touch and go – but everyone knows I wanted to stay," Simpson told the Gazette. "I didn't just want to do half a job – I'm here to do a full job.

"I want to play a full part this season. I was just glad we sorted it out, and I'm now here permanently for the next three and a half years.

"If I can do a full season, and play as many games as I can with the defence, and we get to the Premiership, it would be a massive achievement.

"It would be the biggest achievement I've had up to now in my career."

Simpson – who had a half-season loan spell at Sunderland in their promotion campaign in 2006-07 – was the first of boss Chris Hughton's transfer window signings, with Wayne Routledge, Leon Best and Mike Williamson following him on permanent deals, and defensive duo Fitz Hall and Patrick van Aanholt arriving on loan.

"Competition helps," added Simpson. "We all want the same thing at the end of the day.

"Everyone's got a big part to play, whether one plays one week, and another the next.

"We want to stay top of the league and get back to the Premiership. The new faces are exciting. It freshens things up, and gives everyone a lift. It gives the fans a lift as well."

Newcastle have a narrow three-point advantage over West Bromwich Albion going into the Derby game, with United looking for their first away success since the December 9 success at Coventry City.

However, buoyed by Friday night's 5-1 hammering of fourth-placed Cardiff, Simpson is confident they can take all three points from Nigel Clough's side at Pride Park.

Simpson said: "We've got that many games in a short period of time, the main thing is to do our jobs and recover well.

"In this league you can't take anything for granted. Everyone thinks Cardiff are a better team than Derby, but we know what it's like when we go to these away games.

"It's their biggest game of the season, and they always seem to play better against us.

"We know that, but if we can play like we did on Friday night, I don't think there'll be a problem."

* Ticket for tonight's game – priced £33 for adults, £20 for senior citizens and £15 for juniors – are on sale from the Pride Park ticket office up to kick off.

For the first match report from Pride Park tonight, log on to www.shieldsgazette.com after the game