Newcastle's Aleksandar Mitrovic to keep his cool against Sunderland
Friday 23 October 2015 12:22, UK
Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has vowed to avoid confrontation in the Wear-Tyne derby against Sunderland on Sunday.
The Serbia international heads into the match at the Stadium of Light having collected five yellow cards and one red in just 11 games for club and country this season.
However, Mitrovic, who was also sent off for former club Anderlecht against Bruges - the biggest clash in Belgian club football - earlier in his career, insists he has learnt his lesson after receiving his marching orders against Arsenal in August and serving a three-game ban.
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The 21-year-old said: "There will be a lot of passion at the next game, but I do not want to make the same mistake that I did against Arsenal and do something stupid.
"I want to stay on the level. I know they will try to provoke me, but I will keep my head strong and try to score goals and help my team-mates.
"It's a derby. I am only 21 but I have played in a lot of big derbies, big games, and I can say I know how to play these games and score goals in them. I hope I will continue with my goals and score in my first game against Sunderland."
Newcastle go into the game buoyed by last weekend's 6-2 victory over Norwich, their first win of the new Premier League campaign, as they try to avoid a record sixth successive defeat by their neighbours.
The clash sees Newcastle boss Steve McClaren come up against Sunderland counterpart Sam Allardyce, who was a fellow candidate for the England manager's job back in 2006.
Allardyce will be attempting to follow in the footsteps of his three predecessors at Sunderland and secure a derby victory in just his second game at the helm.
McClaren said: "Whatever manager it is, it's the Premier League, it's the biggest league in the world and you are pitting yourself against some of the biggest managers in the world and in Europe, and Sam is one of them.
"He's had an excellent career. He has great experience in the Premier League and every club he goes to, he does a very good job. He will do that at Sunderland."
