Newcastle midfielder Geremi believes Sunday's derby clash with Sunderland is even bigger than Real Madrid's rivalry with Barcelona.

The 29-year-old knows all about the competition between the two giants of Spanish football having played for Real against the Catalan club during his time at the Bernabeu Stadium.

That fixture may not be a traditional derby, but the stakes could not be higher in the domestic game in Spain.

However, Geremi admits the Black Cats' visit to St James' Park will outweigh anything he experienced in Madrid.

He said: "The derby game is something special and I know what it means for the fans.

"Each derby means a lot to every team. When I was with Real Madrid, I played in the derby against Barcelona, which is very big.

"But in Newcastle, the game against Sunderland is bigger than Real Madrid v Barcelona.

"It depends on each club, and we know it is going to be a big derby.

"Derbies are played away from the pitch, when people talk a lot, and then on the pitch, when we can do our talking."