Newcastle United striker Ayoze Perez has welcomed owner Mike Ashley being more publicly active.

Ashley has returned in recent weeks, and has been in the directors' box for each of the Magpies' last three matches; two away from home, and one at St James' Park.

It's good to see the owner, and it strengthens the feeling of togetherness as much as we can," said Perez.

"The results are not good, but we have to be together; we are all training every day as one. It's all about us, and we have to keep going, keep pushing.

"We improved at Man United and our performance was a step up, but in the end against a top-six side it was not enough.

"As long as we are all together, then good things will come. The owner being around can be part of that."