Henri Saivet believes Newcastle United 'deserve' to be competing at top of Premier League

Henri Saivet thinks Newcastle United "deserve" to be at the top of the Premier League. The 25-year-old midfielder joined the Magpies in the January transfer window and believes a club of Newcastle's stature ought to be nearer the summit of the table.

Saivet considers Newcastle to be a club that has consistently underachieved though its history. "The image people have in France of Newcastle is that it is massive club, it is just struggling to get on track. Everything we like about Newcastle," he said, according to The Mirror.

"It is a little bit of a shame that they are not at the top of the Premier League where they deserve to be. The aim for me is to play in front of the defence, to shore up the defence. But I am a ball player as well as a ball winner, so hopefully I can help the team to attack."

Newcastle's new signing revealed he sought advice from two current players before he decided to make the switch from Bordeaux. He said: "My friends Gabby Obertan and Yoan Gouffran only ever said good things about Newcastle as a club. If I am called upon, I will be out there and try to do my best. What matters more than anything is that there's no player bigger than the club. That's all that is important but I am ready when called upon and I will make sure I give my best."

Newcastle currently find themselves in a relegation battle and Saivet hopes his "carefree" attitude will help push the club towards safety. "I think it is a big challenge for myself and Jonjo Shelvey who has also arrived. It is our job to make sure the team moves up the league and we have to contribute to that," he said.

"I think for me I can bring a carefree attitude, and some aggression in the tackle in midfield. I am a ball player as well and giving passes to Ayoze Perez and Wijnaldum to exploit their talents and bring the best out of them."