Steve McClaren says Newcastle can take inspiration '“ from Wigan!

McClaren’s side are 18th in the Premier League and two points adrift of safety, with 14 matches left to play.

Newcastle – who take on West Bromwich Albion at St James’s Park this afternoon – were beaten 3-0 by Roberto Martinez’s Everton on Wednesday night.

Wigan, under Martinez, somehow escaped the drop in the 2011-12 season.

The Latics, now in League One, won seven of their last nine matches to secure their Premier League status, having only won one of their previous 14 games.

McClaren said: “Roberto Martinez said ‘you lot remind me of Wigan in those years we were in the bottom three for most of the season’.

“And the last 10 games he said ‘we pulled some results together and got out of it’.

“They had the talent, and they decided those last 10 games of the season to come together as a team.

“And I said ‘if you had seen us two weeks ago ... but we didn’t see it on Wednesday. We need more consistency.”

Meanwhile, West Brom striker Saido Berahino will be a substitute at St James’s Park.

United failed with a £21million bid to sign the striker before the transfer window closed on Monday night. West Brom head coach Tony Pulis said: “The window’s closed. He’s still here and he can see a clear path to the summer, and he’s to concentrate on the club.

“We need to get him fit and up and running. He’s desperate to play and we are desperate to get him involved.”