Florian Thauvin's confidence suffering '“ Newcastle Boss Steve McClaren

A section of fans rounded on Thauvin during Saturday’s FA Cup defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road.

There was a chant of “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” after Thauvin, a second-half substitute, went down under a challenge.

And the 22-year-old, signed from Olympique Marseille last summer, was booed when he next touched the ball.

Thauvin – whose best game came in a 4-1 Capital One Cup win over Northampton Town in August – has been on the fringes of Steve McClaren’s team this season.

However, the relegation-threatened club’s head coach has conceded that Thauvin’s confidence is suffering.

“Normally, you get booed by away fans – it gives you strength,” said McClaren, who doesn’t expect Thauvin to be fit for tonight’s Premier League home game against Manchester United.

“And when (you are booed) by your own fans it knocks your confidence.

“That is how Florian is. We all have sympathy for him, for that kind of reaction he got.

“It’s a tough one for the individual, but we’re sticking with him and by him.”

Thauvin also came under fire from fans for his performance in the Capital One Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday in September.

The France Under-21 international was replaced at the break after an anonymous performance against the Championship side’s reserve team, who won 1-0.