NEWCASTLE have striker Salomon Rondon fit for today’s clash with Saints as they aim to end their poor record at St Mary’s.

The Magpies have not won away to Saints since 2004 and are rooted to the foot of the table after last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat by Brighton, with just two points from an available 27.

But they have been boosted by the return of West Brom loanee Rondon, who has missed the last three games with a thigh injury.

Manager Rafael Benitez said: “If you consider that we signed him as a main striker at this time, we have missed him for games.

“When he played against Crystal Palace, he was injured from the beginning and it was a pity. But now he is fit and hopefully he can stay fit for a while and at least increase the competition between the offensive players.”

Benitez has challenged his players to enjoy the pressure of turning around their desperate start to the Premier League season ahead of their big clash against Saints at St Mary’s today.

But he is refusing to bow under the pressure of the situation. “I came to Newcastle because of the fans’ passion,” he said.

Newcastle enjoyed 68 per cent of the possession against Brighton and mustered 27 shots, but still failed to find the back of the net and to that end, the return of striker Salomon Rondon from a thigh injury at St Mary’s Stadium represents a boost.

However, Benitez remains convinced that if his players continue to do what he is asking them to do, their fortunes will change, as they very nearly did at Manchester United on October 6, when they led 2-0 before eventually succumbing 3-2.

The Spaniard said: “I try to be calm. It’s trying to do things in the same way. We are talking about the methodology, the approach to the game - but why would we change all of these things?

“We just have to make a few small changes to try to be successful. When you try to change too many things, it’s a massive risk.

“When you start to change this and that, it can be worse. We are so close to winning the first game and climbing out of the bottom three. We have to believe we can do it.”