RYAN Bertrand has admitted the challenges that come with playing in an unsettled defence.

Mark Hughes has toyed with Saints’ back line throughout the opening nine Premier League games, which in return, has resulted in three clean sheets.

Jannik Vestergaard, Maya Yoshida, Wesley Hoedt, Jack Stephens and Jan Bednarek have all been given the chance to cement their position at the back.

Bertrand was part of the defence that kept a clean sheet at goal-happy Bournemouth last weekend and is hoping for consistency.

He said: “We are supposed to be the rock of the team - it all stems from us and consistency in that department is key. 

“Not having that is unsettling when you are chopping and changing the personnel.

“The two centre backs that came in against Bournemouth done very well and it is about everyone working in their units.

“The more consistency we can get will only put us in a position to go on and do better things.

“I don’t pick the team, but I think a clean sheet against Bournemouth speaks for itself.” 

Hughes took the defence back to basics during the international break and will be hoping it can continue to grow as the season goes on.

Bertrand and Cedric have been the two regulars so far, but they have had to deal with the centre-backs being changed by Hughes as he looks to find the perfect partnership in the middle.

It was the combination of Hoedt and Stephens that proved to be successful last weekend.

For the three games where Saints have kept a clean sheet, Stephens has been involved in two of them.

It helps that Newcastle have struggled for goals this season so tomorrow should be an opportunity for the defence to grow in confidence with another clean sheet.

And Bertrand thinks that’s possible after they have been working tirelessly as a team to stop leaking in goals.

The 29-year-old added: “Bournemouth were in a vein of form with some good attacking players and we managed to keep a clean sheet. We held onto it and it was quite convincing from us.

“It’s about staying compact, not only as a defence, but as a team.

“It’s the whole unit and the distances between the defence, the midfield and the attack.

“We have worked on that and it’s a foundation that we will work to stay on top of and hopefully we can go on to work on other things which will only be good for us.”

Given Newcastle are currently rock bottom of the league, it could be assumed that Saints should pick up an easy win.

If they were to accomplish that, Hughes’ team could put some breathing space between them and the Magpies.

However, Bertrand insists that they can’t have that attitude heading into the game and he is ready for a stern test at St Mary’s.

“I didn’t even know they were bottom, I just knew they were struggling,” Bertrand added.

“It doesn’t matter where people are in the league, it’s still too early.

“They will be a tough team but hopefully we come out of it better.”