Yohan Cabaye blames Newcastle United's inconsistent season thus far on injuries and suspension.

Cabaye has highlighted ­Newcastle's problem as hardly ever getting their first XI on the pitch, with big names missing every week through injury or suspension.

He has been carrying a stomach injury himself, and has only hit top form in patches.

Cabaye said: "If we stop working, it will be very difficult to get up towards the top of the league again.

"It has not been bad, but it has not been good enough either. We have played well, but we can play better than we have done.

"Every game has been tough and we have had a lot of injuries and suspensions. That has made things difficult, but we need to keep our confidence and work hard."