New Newcastle United defender Jack Colback has talked up the intensity of the Tyne-Wear derby with Sunderland following the release of the fixture list.

The Magpies host their fierce rivals on December 20, before visiting the Stadium of Light on April 4, and Colback, who recently joined the Tyneside outfit from the Black Cats, has described what the game means to people in the area.

The versatile left-sided player told Newcastle's official website: "The intensity of it is as big as any other game in the country.

"I don't think there's another derby which is bigger than Newcastle and Sunderland. They are the best and have a completely different feeling to any other game.

"The atmosphere is amazing and it's something special. I will really look forward to the first one of the new season."

You can see Newcastle's fixtures for the 2014-2015 season here.