Steve McClaren has warned that Newcastle United fans may have to brace themselves for more pain ahead before things get better as he continues to make sweeping changes throughout the club.

The Magpies are joint-bottom of the Premier League table with North-East rivals Sunderland after failing to win any of their first six league games of the season, and they were knocked out of the League Cup by Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

McClaren accepted that the poor form is difficult for fans to take, but said that he must continue to make "painful" changes for the good of the club.

"We are changing a lot - philosophy, culture, standards, training and style," he told reporters. "We are going through change, and change is painful, tough and hard.

"Why are we wanting change? Because we have won five games in 32. When we get it right, it will be good."

Newcastle host Chelsea in the Premier League in Saturday's late kickoff.