Alan Smith has revealed his desire to prove his worth to The Magpies after a barren run which has seen him without a competitive goal for Newcastle.

The former Manchester United striker he has mainly been deployed as a central midfielder during his time in the North East, but Kevin Keegan has used him as a strike partner to Michael Owen since his return to St James' Park.

Smith admits that is time for himself and his team mates to accept their recent criticism and bounce back to ensure their Premier League status.

"It is a time where we have to stand up and be counted, go out in front of 52,000 people and prove our worth," Smith told the Newcastle Chronicle.

"We've got to show everyone that we want to fight for the cause. We looked at our home games as ones that were winnable and one was against Blackburn.

"We've deserved criticism on occasions this season and we're all big enough to accept that.

"It's up to us as a team, as players and as people, to sort that out."