NEWCASTLE UNITED’S supporters have been told they can give an extra edge to the club’s relegation threatened players over the next few weeks by the manager attempting to deliver a great escape from the drop.

The Magpies are already six points shy of safety and have an inferior goal difference; it is a gap that could become nine later today if Sunderland lose at Norwich City.

But four of Newcastle’s remaining six matches are at home and the first of those will be at St James’ Park against Swansea City this afternoon; followed by Manchester City on Tuesday and then Crystal Palace and Tottenham.

Around 50,000 Newcastle fans are likely to be packed inside St James’ to watch the action unfold and Rafael Benitez is convinced they have a crucial role to play in the fight against relegation.

Newcastle boss Benitez said: “It is not time to complain and blame anyone. It is time to stick together. If the fans stay behind the team, the team will be stronger.

“After? You can blame anyone. At the moment all our energy has to be to push, be positive towards the players. All our energy is on them.

“I can go and I do the tactics, could be fantastic tactics, but if they don't perform it is not good enough. If I do the wrong tactics and they perform no one will notice and they will be fantastic!

“Every fan has to try to help. If we have to fight and get three points against Tottenham to stay in the Premier League maybe we will be positive, give everything and stay up. The team away is not doing well. At home you can feel they can win and have this moment. I am sure every fan will help.”

There was a dressing room inquest at St Mary’s last weekend when Newcastle suffered the third of four defeats under Benitez. Young defender Jamaal Lascelles was one of the key movers that afternoon when he was quick to question the players’ heart in an interview afterwards.

Benitez welcomed Lascelles’ words. The Spanish boss said: “I was really pleased because he was saying what everybody is thinking outside. We know that we have to give everything.

“We know we have to do better and we know that we have to show character. Maybe in some games we are not doing what everybody is expecting.

“Quite possibly it is not just to say these things because he is key on the pitch, training sessions and games. He is sent to do his best and he is not scared of the challenge or what he has to do. I think he is really good, really positive.”

In the continued absence of skipper Fabricio Coloccini – who has suffered an injury set-back and will still be missing today – Benitez has given the captain’s armband to Jonjo Shelvey. He has been criticised by certain supporters for his approach to games.

Benitez said: “I think the team as a team has to improve and as a captain he is training well, pushing, working very hard. When I talk to him he is trying, he understands, he tries to help but you cannot do too much if the team is not performing. He is trying to give everything and support his team-mates.”

Right-back Daryl Janmaat is unavailable to face Swansea because he has had surgery on the hand injury he suffered when he punched the wall at St Mary’s. He is also nursing a groin problem.

Benitez said: “The problem now is the groin so we don't need to push him. When I was talking with him, he said: 'No, no – I will take a risk for the team (with the hand).' But now you need to find the right protection and you need permission from the surgeon and the doctor and everything.

“But the most positive thing for me is that he wanted to take the risk. So he cannot now because of the groin. But we will try to push him, we will have to push him.

“We will see. This game he cannot play. The next one, Man City is it too soon? We will see, but if he has some protection we will see if he wants to take a risk.”

Paul Dummett has returned, though, so will slot back in at left-back to boost Newcastle’s defensive options following the injuries to Coloccini, Janmaat and Steven Taylor.