Shola Ameobi has insisted that spirits remain high at Newcastle United, despite the team's recent poor run of form.

The Magpies were beaten for the fifth game in a row on Saturday as a late penalty from Wilfried Bony saw them lose 2-1 at home to Swansea City in the Premier League.

While Newcastle are struggling to pick up points heading into the final few weeks of the season, Ameobi stresses that there is still a positive mood among the players at St James' Park.

"It's been tough for us, obviously, but one thing that has remained is that spirit to want to work hard for each other and to fight, to keep on fighting despite the adversity that we have faced in the last few games," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"I thought we showed character there. It was always going to be a tough match - the fans, obviously, were expecting better from us and for the large part, I thought we did that."

Newcastle return to Premier League action next Monday when they travel to Arsenal.