RAFAEL BENITEZ has urged his players to forget about everything else that is going on in the fight for Premier League survival by focusing on Newcastle United’s own form.

If Norwich City beat Sunderland in the lunch-time kick-off at Carrow Road tomorrow then the Magpies will be staring at a nine point gap to safety before they start at home to Swansea at 3pm.

A Sunderland victory would mean Newcastle could actually climb to within three points of safety by defeating the Swans, and both Tyne-Wear rivals have a game in hand over the Canaries.

But Benitez, whose side have six matches remaining and four of those are at St James’ Park, is keen for his team to focus on their own performances and results rather than worry about anything else.

Benitez said: "We can't have any influence on this (Norwich v Sunderland) game so we have to wait and then see what happens, it doesn't change anything, we have to try to win our game in any case, so the other score doesn't matter.

“The players will know the result from Norwich for sure before we go out, but it's about thinking about our game. We have six more games to play and I think we can win these games to get the points we need to stay up.

"For us it's really important to have these four home games. The fans have been fantastic for the team, and they can make the difference, the reaction of the players thanks to the fans against Sunderland helped to earn us a point, in this case if we cannot make mistakes and if we can get ahead the fans will help and the players will run even faster, if it's possible.”

Newcastle’s situation has not been helped by further injury blows to Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor and Daryl Janmaat. Coloccini has suffered a set-back and has been ruled out, while Janmaat has had surgery on his hand after he punched a wall in frustration at Southampton.

The Dutch defender is also struggling with a groin strain but has outlined a desire to play as soon as he can – even if he is still nursing a hand complaint.

Benitez said: "Paul Dummett is coming back, Steven Taylor and Janmaat are not available. Kevin Mbabu, that was before, and Coloccini has had a reaction the other day so is still some time away.

"Daryl’s injured so we can't do anything, we've put out a statement out saying clearly he can't play this game and we'll check the next one. He’s ready to take the risk if he has to do it with his hand but we still have to find a solution to his groin problem.

"Sometimes it's frustration, sometimes it's the passion. I had a player in the past at Real Madrid reserves with the same problem, sometimes they care so much and they want to be there, that can happen. Obviously it's bad news, but if he's available for the next game that will be a positive and maybe other players can put him under pressure.”