Chris Waddle says north-east rivals will struggle this season

Chris Waddle has predicted a tough season for former clubs Newcastle and Sunderland as they try to move out of the Premier League relegation zone.

The sides currently sit at the bottom of the league, with the Magpies earning three points from their opening seven matches and the Black Cats just two.

Newcastle took a point from a 2-2 draw with Chelsea last weekend and Waddle, who played over 170 games for the club between 1980-85, is hoping for a recovery.

"It's not easy, and the days have gone when they can spend and compete with the big clubs in the transfer market," said the former England winger.

"They're buying players for £10m, £12m, £13m but to a lot of clubs that's peanuts, let's be honest. They work to a certain budget and you get a certain quality of player.

"However, if Steve McClaren can get them organised, if he can get the confidence in them, they've got a chance then possibly of getting up the league."

But Waddle suggested it could be neighbours Sunderland who are in greater trouble, with Dick Advocaat's team having conceded 16 goals in just seven league games.

"They've got a problem with their defence," said Waddle, who turned out seven times for Newcastle's arch rivals during a brief spell at the club in 1997.

"I mean it's not rocket science. You can see the back four has not gelled. They are conceding a lot of goals, too many goals, bad goals as well.

"Let's be honest, he needs a couple of defenders if they're going to get out of this. If you can sort the defence out, then they will have a chance, but at this minute, you're going to say they'll do very well to survive the Premier League this year."