STEVE McCLAREN is confident Newcastle United possess the quality to climb clear of the Premier League’s bottom three, after showing they have the right character for a relegation fight.

The Magpies sit a point above the drop zone ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Chelsea and will head to Stamford Bridge on the back of a run of just two defeats from their last five games.

Newcastle have collected seven points during that sequence of fixtures, which has displayed to the head coach he has a group of players capable of grinding out results that matter.

McClaren feels his squad are in a much greater shape following the arrivals of Andros Townsend, Jonjo Shelvey, Henri Saivet and Seydou Doumbia.

And the Newcastle boss believes his side will only get better as the new boys develop an even greater understanding of the men they have around them on the pitch – and a better match fitness.

McClaren said: “We have good talent in this squad but we have to get more consistency. Performances like Everton (a 3-0 defeat) have surprised everyone, we have to eradicate that.

“With 14 games to go we have to be consistent with our performances. We have fans demanding a performance of character and so do I.

“This squad is stronger now, it’s far better than it was. We have been in the bottom three, we are kind of used to being around where we are. We know we are in battle. We have continue that battle for the next 13 games. You never know what will be needed.”

Only Doumbia, signed from Roma, of Newcastle’s transfer window signings are yet to make an appearance for the first team but £29m trio Shelvey, Townsend and Saivet have all had an impact.

The hope is for that to continue and grow, with Newcastle also hoping a number of injured players will return to fitness for selection after the trip to Chelsea.

Because of the injury situation, McClaren is having to ask exciting winger Rolando Aarons to operate as a left-back. And, after a shaky display at Everton, he performed confidently during last weekend’s 1-0 win at home against West Brom.

Aarons said: “I will play wherever they ask me at Newcastle. It’s not about me, it’s about the team so I will do whatever I have to do. I’m basically a winger but playing a bit further back.

“It’s taken me a couple of games to get used to it, but I will do what I have to do for the club.”

Newcastle are travelling to Spain for a short break and a friendly with Lillestrom after this weekend. They do not play in the Premier League again until the trip to Stoke on March 2.