Mikel Merino has warned Southampton to expect a fiery Newcastle United outfit this Saturday.

The Magpies will be looking to bounce back from a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in what will be a six-pointer at St. James' Park.

"After that game, we have a three-week break and it is always good to pick up a good result at a time like that," midfielder Merino said ahead of this Saturday's clash with Southampton on Tyneside.

"If you have a defeat, you have a lot of time to dwell on it. It is the worst thing to do because you have so much time to think about it, but we have no intention of losing it.

"We want to go into the break with a good mentality. Every game is important and we try to approach every one with the same mentality - but maybe the next two games at home are a little bit easier than this one.

"Those teams are maybe not at the high level of Liverpool but we know the way we have to play is the same as we played against Manchester United and Bournemouth."