Newcastle: Steve McClaren confident of Mike Ashley support

Newcastle have lost five of their first eight league games this season

Newcastle boss Steve McClaren says he has the support of owner Mike Ashley despite a poor start to the season.

The Magpies, who entertain Norwich City on Sunday (16:00 BST), are bottom of the Premier League, five points from safety and winless after eight games.

"As long as we continue making progress - which I believe we are and they believe we are - then we keep going," said McClaren, appointed in June.

"This is Newcastle. There's always scrutiny on you."

Newcastle lost 6-1 at Manchester City in their last league game on 3 October, but former England manager McClaren is confident of turning it around.

"If you're together and they know you're doing the job and you're doing the right things and the players are responding, then wherever you are - be it Newcastle or whatever - they'll say: 'You know what, we're on the right lines'," he added.