Jonjo Shelvey has ordered Newcastle to pile the pressure on relegation rivals Swansea.
The midfielder clocks up two years on Tyneside on Friday, having signed from the South Wales club they host at the weekend.
Shelvey has billed the clash at St James’ Park as a “must-win” for the visitors, but reckons Rafa Benitez’s side are ready to lift away from the relegation scrap after two wins in a row.
Newcastle are without a home win in the Premier League since October, and he said: “I think there is a big expectation playing at home in front of our fans and our big crowd. As players we have to be able to deal with that.
“Swansea is a massive game. It is a must win for them — and us as well. If we win that piles pressure on Swansea and I hope we can go and get three points and take us further away form the relegation zone. That’s what you want, away from there as quick as possible.
“It is in our hands. We have given ourselves a chance and it is a massive one on Saturday.”
Shelvey, who moved from Swansea in a £10m deal, says he has “never had any regrets” about heading to Tyneside.
“As soon as I knew Newcastle were in for me, there was only one place to go. But I don’t want them [Swansea] to go down — I have mates in their team," said the England international.
“But it is a cut-throat business, football, and I’d rather us stay up than them. It is a battle, a relegation battle.
“They have chopped and changed the managers and that has not helped them. Away teams would not see the ball for a long time at Swansea. Even the top teams — Arsenal, Chelsea... They have moved away from that.”
Londoner Shelvey has been linked with a move to West Ham and has not been an automatic pick under Benitez.
Mikel Merino has taken his play-maker role, but Shelvey has performed well lately and the pair can work together.
The former Liverpool man added: “It has been enjoyable. It is a good place to live, and I enjoy the city. The fans are first class with me. It is nice to come and train every day with the lads.
“There have been ups and downs, relegation, promotion, now the Premier League. I can never say I regret joining Newcastle.”
Shelvey also has a warning about the Swans' new boss, Carlos Carvalhal.
He added: “He beat us twice last year with Sheffield Wednesday, so he knows how to do a job.
“They won’t sit back, they’ll have a go.
“We had a good result against Stoke, even though they were suffering. Then we beat Luton [in the FA Cup], a potential banana skin. It would have been embarrassing if we hadn’t.
“We have picked up of late. Our performances have always been there are thereabouts, but it has been about turning performances into results.”