Eddie Newton: Roberto Di Matteo must unite dressing room

Eddie Newton has said that former teammate Roberto Di Matteo needs to restore "team spirit" to the Chelsea dressing room.

The Italian has been appointed as interim coach at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season following the departure of Andre Villas-Boas.

Newton, who was also Di Matteo's assistant at West Bromwich Albion, is confident that the 41-year-old can restore harmony amongst the Blues ranks.

"At the moment Chelsea look like a bunch of talented individuals that are not playing together," the former Chelsea midfielder told talkSPORT.

"He needs to get the team spirit back in the dressing room. The talent will then shine through on the pitch."

Newton believes that senior players such as Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba also have a part to play if the team are to weather this tumultuous period for the club.

"[Chelsea] have to rely on the senior stars to get them through the immediate future. They've got two big cup games on the horizon and they need to push for that fourth place."

Newton, who came through the youth system at Chelsea, played for the club between 1990 and 1999.