McClaren hopes for top-eight finish with Newcastle

McClaren insists that a top-eight finish is possible for a Newcastle side that was in danger of relegation until the final game of last season, and a thoroughly-deserved point at home to Southampton, who finished seventh last term, lends some credibility to McClaren's claim.

Now a trip to Swansea, who were just behind Southampton in eighth, will also be an excellent examination of the team being assembled by the former England boss, who is aware this is the type of game that Newcastle should not lose if they want to break into the small group of clubs who now eye Europa League places instead of the relegation zone.

Swansea certainly unveiled evidence in their opening game that they can be equally effective this season as they were last season under Garry Monk.

They also drew 2-2, but this was a more impressive point than Newcastle's, coming against champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

While Chelsea were reduced to 10 men by the dismissal of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, there is no doubt that Swansea have hit the ground running, nobody more than Jefferson Montero, the winger whose lightning pace embarrassed Chelsea's right-back Branislav Ivanvoic.

Swansea's captain Ashley Williams rated the Ecuador international as "unplayable" and Daryl Janmaat is the player who must deal with the 25-year-old winger at the Liberty Stadium, but, if pace is to play a crucial part in the outcome, Swansea must take care they do not fall into a speed trap because Newcastle possess players who are equally swift.

Moussa Sissoko, whose role down the right side of midfield means he will regularly encounter Montero in what should be a fascinating match-up, was timed at 35.3kph (21.9mph) in one game against Leicester City last season.

- Real concern -

McClaren has indicated he is prepared to adjust his line-up to combat opposition strengths, but United are still likely to be unchanged following Vurnon Anita's recovery from a back injury.

Netherlands midfielder Anita was taken off on a stretcher last week and Newcastle assistant Paul Simpson said: "It was a real concern at the time because he took a heavy, awkward landing when he fell.

"I have to give credit to the medical team. They've laid their magic hands on him and he's made a really good recovery."

Meanwhile, Swansea boss Monk says the row over Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro going on to the pitch at Stamford Bridge last weekend overshadowed his side's fine performance.

Most of the headlines have centred on Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's criticsm of first-team doctor Carneiro rushing on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard, in the process momentarily reducing the 10-man Blues to nine players.

Monk would have preferred Swansea to have earned more plaudits for one of the team's best displays under his management.

"The disappointing part of it all is that's what the national press has decided to focus on and not the performance my players put on," he said.

"To go to the champions in the first game of the season and put a performance like that on... it's been overshadowed.

"I knew we would be focused, I had no worries about them because of our maturity as a side."

Ki Seung-yeung is the only doubt for Swansea, but the South Korea midfielder is expected to recover from a hamstring problem that forced him to leave the field at Stamford Bridge.