AT the start of the month, Newcastle United’s Premier League future looked over. Rafael Benitez tried to remain confident that it wasn’t, but defeat at Norwich City pushed them closer to the Championship trapdoor.

Three games later, and having recovered from a further embarrassing defeat at Southampton, Newcastle are suddenly within sight of climbing out of the bottom three. A victory over Swansea City and a draw with Manchester City has improved chances of survival.

And with Norwich City not due to face Arsenal until 5.30pm next Saturday, Newcastle could put distance between themselves and the Canaries if they enjoy favourable results against Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

There is certainly no-one getting carried away after a couple of improved performances, however, and any shoots of recovery could soon disappear if Liverpool show the sort of form which has seen them score eight goals against Borussia Dortmund and Everton.

Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum said: “It’s very important we have those two games because if you win then you put the pressure on Norwich and even Sunderland too, which is a good thing at this stage.

“We need to keep going and keep collecting points every game. We have shown character across the last two games and we must show more.

“Earlier in the season, we went on a run of collecting seven points from three games at one point, but then it went wrong again - and we cannot afford to let that happen now. We have to make sure we keep this form like this, no more setbacks.”

Wijnaldum had started every Premier League game since his move from PSV Eindhoven last summer but he lost his place for the visit of Manchester City when he was introduced as a late substitute.

The 25-year-old has suffered a drop in form since the first half of the season when he started by scoring nine goals for the Magpies; only two of those arrived after New Year’s Day.

But the Dutch international was keen to switch the focus away from himself, claiming Newcastle’s form and position towards the foot of the Premier League is far more important than his own concerns.

Wijnaldum said: “It was good to get four points from two games in the last week, it was against a big opponent in Manchester City so I think it was a good result, though we had chances to win it. We needed these points.

“I would have been happier if I’d scored because I had the opportunity to. It’s about the team keeping going now, and getting the points we need.”

Crystal Palace are ten points ahead of Newcastle, who have 12 points to play for, so this could be the weekend when it becomes a certainty that one of the Tyne-Wear clubs is guaranteed to be playing in the Championship in August.