Yohan Cabaye insists Newcastle United are not looking too far ahead as a spot in Europe begins to loom closer.
The Magpies currently seventh on the Premier League table, having won five of their past six outings, which has them sitting just three points off fourth place.
However, French midfielder Cabaye says there is no use in thinking what could be when there are plenty of matches over the Christmas period to try and win.
"There are similarities to two years ago, but it is too early to start getting carried away," Cabaye told The Journal.
"Five wins out of the last six matches is a very good record, and hopefully at the end, we will have the same finish as we did two years ago (when finishing fifth in 2011/12).
"We can't afford to think about the future too much at this stage.
"People might start talking about qualifying for Europe, or even the Champions League, but we can't afford to think like that. The Christmas period is coming, and that is always an important period.
"If we are in the same position as now in the middle of January, then why not starting to look further forward? But we have to get there first.
"There are going to be a lot of games in the next month, and we will have to focus on our recovery between matches.
"We need to keep all the players as fit as we can, because that will help us play to our best, and that is the only way we can stay close to the top of the league."
