Newcastle United skipper Moussa Sissoko says they'll be up for their derby clash with Sunderland.

Sissoko has this week linked up with the French squad but admits the Sunderland game is never far away from his thoughts.

"After the internationals, we play Sunderland and that will be massive for us," he said.

"We have lost the last four so we must try to win this game, not just for ourselves but for the fans too.

"I joined Newcastle to play in the big games and I know just how big this derby is."