Nicky Butt admits Newcastle United are in a relegation battle after their derby defeat at Sunderland.

He said: "We are down there and part of that battle at the minute. We started the season on a high. The first three games we started well. It is a rollercoaster - as it is every year here.

"West Brom is a must-win game now. Every game that comes to us now is a must-win.

"The longer you are in there the more desperate you get."

Newcastle's 2-1 loss to Roy Keane's Black Cats was their first defeat on Wearside for 28 years and shattered their already brittle confidence.

Butt, 33, added: "There is bound to be a hangover. But having a game come so quickly is a big plus."