Georginio Wijnaldum is confident that Newcastle can avoid relegation this season despite being rooted in the drop zone.

The Dutchman was one of a raft of new arrivals at St James’ Park in the summer but, despite being the club’s top goalscorer with nine strikes, he has failed to inspire the players around him.

Following Saturday’s defeat at relegation rivals Norwich, this weekend sees the 19th-placed Magpies presented with a tough trip to European hopefuls Southampton.

Newcastle are the 6.00 underdogs to win at St Mary’s, with the draw 4.00 and the Saints clear 1.57 favourites.

Although there have been signs of improvement since Rafael Benitez took over last month, the Tynesiders appear no closer to ending their run of six Premier League games without a victory and are currently 1.13 to be relegated.

With their situation looking desperate, rumours have inevitably started to swirl about their top players and whether they will be free to leave if the club is relegated.

Wijnaldum says he is unwilling to discuss those issues as he is only thinking about giving his all for the team in their final seven games of the season.

“Do I have a clause that I could leave after relegation? I do not give information about what is in my contract,” he told Metro XL. “I do not think about the end of the season. I focus on the upcoming matches.”