RAFAEL BENITEZ wants to forget about the events of the last week in the hope of seeing his Newcastle United players return to winning ways against Birmingham City tomorrow.

The Magpies have lost their last two league games and that has seen Brighton cut the gap to the leaders to a point; meaning the Seagulls could go top tonight if they beat Leeds United.

But Benitez feels the events at the City Ground last Friday could have had a positive impact on his squad, particularly after the red cards of Jonjo Shelvey and Paul Dummett were overturned.

And while both players are available to face Birmingham, the verdict has not done anything for the defeat that they suffered at Nottingham Forest.

Benitez said: “In the end I think it was obvious we were upset, because there was no way either of those could be a red card during the game. They can play now and that is a positive.

“I will not waste too much time on last week. We are obviously disappointed not to get the three points we could have got. The referees make mistakes and we have to accept that. We have got the players coming back and at least we can concentrate on that.

“The players realise and the fans also that if we stick together we can be stronger. Because we are the top side in the Championship it is easy for everyone to go against us, it is easy for them to think we can win or that we spend a lot of money … but we have to stick together and if we have any problems we have to defend each other.”

The Northern Echo: Newcastle United's Ayoze Perez celebrates after scoring his side's crucial second goal against Tottenham

Newcastle have ruled out Ayoze Perez, pictured, because of illness for the game with Birmingham, while Jack Colback is sidelined with blurred vision.

And Benitez is looking forward to his side returning to action at St James’ Park knowing that Newcastle have seen a five-point advantage reduced during the recent blip, which also included a EFL Cup quarter-final defeat to Hull.

He said: “The Championship is so difficult. In six games we played four games, then you go one month and have seven or eight games or whatever.

"April has seven games, we have to stay focused and work hard. Every week can change. In England you talk about the Christmas time being crucial but every month is in the Championship.

“I am really positive of the future because every day when you see the reaction of the fans, what they are looking for from the players, the players have to give everything, everyone is pushing and I think the fans are happy with that.

“When we were winning a lot of games in a row, the fans were singing and maybe some felt it was easy but after a defeat they have realised we have to stick together.”