Newcastle United's Steven Taylor has stoked the fire ahead of the derby clash with Sunderland by claiming that no Sunderland player is good enough to get in Alan Pardew's side.

Asked which players he thought were good enough to get into Newcastle's starting XI, the former England under-21 defender replied: "Not even one player, that's the quality we possess.

"We say it all the time. Even last year the gaffer said it, he has our team above Sunderland."

Taylor admitted however that the Magpies must deliver on their claim of superiority in today's Tyne-Wear derby.

"It is all very well saying that but we have to go out and deliver. That is down to the players. It is all right saying, 'Yes, the team sheet looks great' but you have to go and perform."

Taylor also claimed that his strong allegiance to the Toon Army would make it difficult for him to line up for the Black Cats and admitted he enjoys the hard-time he is given by Sunderland fans.

"I would rather go and collect stamps than stick on that shirt!

"I have not got any friends who are Sunderland fans. As for the players, I am friendly with one or two of them from England Under-21 days but that was before they signed for Sunderland.

"When I am warming up, their fans have the veins popping out of their necks shouting at me. It is like I have done something to their family or something. It doesn't bother me one bit."

Newcastle currently sit 12th in the Premier League with nine points from seven games.