Rafael Benitez believes that Newcastle are a sleeping giant

Rafael Benitez is confident he can drag Newcastle back from the brink of relegation and turn them into a top Premier league side, believing his new side are a "sleeping giant".

The 55-year-old Spaniard took over at St James Park following the sacking of Steve McClaren last week. On Sunday, the Magpies entertain Sunderland who are also currently inside the relegation zone.

And the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager is convinced his latest club are capable of climbing the table.

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"I decided to come because I knew how big this clubs was: The fans, the stadium, everything. You can see that it's a sleeping giant," Benitez said.

"Then you think maybe with your experience and talking with everyone at the club, I can see that if we stay up, we can achieve things because the potential is here."

As for Sunday's north-east showdown, he added: "At the moment, my job is to give players confidence, to win games, and to stay in the Premier League. I think that we can do it.

If we stay up, we can achieve things because the potential is here.

"Obviously, if we win this game, it will be easier for everyone because it will give them more confidence and help them to work hard.

"If we stay up - and I am sure we will - then we can improve a lot. I have confidence that we will stay up and I am sure everything will be fine. I am sure that next year, we will have a great season."