Former Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd is confident they'll stay up.

Indeed, Shepherd says both Northeast clubs will be safe.

“There's no chance of Newcastle going down, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a former chairman," he told talkSPORT.

“I'd put my house on it, Newcastle will NOT go down.

“They've done the right thing at the right time. They've splashed out and got some good players in.

“I honestly believe Newcastle will now start to climb up the table.

“This isn't bias, and you might just think I'm sticking up for the north east here, but I think Sam Allardyce will keep Sunderland up as well.

“I think the teams above them at the bottom of the table are weaker so I think they will definitely escape."