But the defender – yet to score 72 games into his Newcastle United career – is still desperate to open his account.

Enrique came close to breaking his duck in Newcastle's last game, the 3-1 win over Peterborough United, when he forced a near-post save out of Joe Lewis from 20 yards.

And the left-back has revealed he is keen to silence the dressing room jokers who rib him about his efforts in front of goal.

"I haven't scored yet, but I've come close," Enrique told the Gazette. "The rest of the players laugh at me because of this.

"I hope that I can silence them soon because this is my third season here, and I still haven't scored! If I do, I think everybody will remember it – there will be many celebrations from me."

Enrique will get another chance against Preston North End at Deepdale on Monday night, though he concedes he doesn't care who scores for Newcastle as long as Chris Hughton's side – who lead the Championship by two points – maintain their charge at the top of the league.

The 23-year-old went on: "The team has had some good moments, but what has happened in the first 16 matches is now gone. It's all about the next 30.

"Personally, I don't worry about how many goals we win by, or how comfortably we win, just as long as we win.

"At the end of the season we'll be promoted on the strength of how many points we've picked up. We are on a high at the moment.

"We hope we can win this league. I think we can and believe we will do it.

"We've got good players, and if we can win the trophy come the end of the season, then we'll be happy.

"It would be great for our fans if we can. At the start of the season, we thought that. So far, we've been lucky with injuries, but we'll see.

"I think we can win all of the games. West Brom are close, and Middlesbrough will be there too by the end of the season.

"I have spoken to Chris, and he says that our home games are important, but we want to show on the road that we can win games as well."