I've just been studying next weekend's fixtures down the bottom. Even if Hull and Leicester both lose their tricky looking games in hand beforehand, I can't help but think that it's perfectly possible that Newcastle could "officially" be part of the relegation battle in seven days time.
If they lose away to Leicester (totally possible, almost a certainty in fact), Villa win at home to Everton (possible) and Sunderland beat us at home (possible), then the four of them (including Leicester) will all be neck and neck immediately above the relegation zone - with Hull having the chance to re-close the gap, making it five sides bunched right together and really dragging Newcastle down into it, on the Monday night (albeit vs Arsenal).