Tiote - Cabaye brings out best in me

Cheick Tiote believes Yohan Cabaye's presence is helping him recuperate the sort of form he managed for Newcastle last season.

Tiote was one of the Magpies' key performers last season, but the Ivorian midfielder has endured a slow start to this campaign.

However, he believes his partnership with Cabaye in the centre of the park is set to flourish after coming on leaps and bounds against Aston Villa last weekend.

The pair were instrumental in earning the 1-1 draw and Tiote hopes Newcastle fans will now see his best form once again.

"Last week I think we played very well together. It is good and it is working well," he told the Chronicle.

"Last season was different with Kevin Nolan, it was a different style of play. Kevin went forward more and scored goals.

"Yohan is a more technical player and uses a different style. They are both good players.

"But Yohan likes to play with the ball more - he brings the best out of me. If you are a winning team the most important area is the midfield."

Newcastle are fourth in the Premier League table with nine points from five games, and Tiote is eyeing up three more points against Blackburn on Saturday.

He said: "We are in a good position and we need to stay in that position. We are focused on every game and if we win Saturday we will stay in the top four, which is great.

"It's good at the moment, we need to stay focused and stay strong together."