Newcastle United defender Mathieu Debuchy is happy with how his side are shaping up ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Frenchman is undergoing his first pre-season with the Magpies having joined them in the January transfer window.

"I wasn't here for pre-season last year and it is never easy to come in halfway through the season because you have missed all your preparation work," the 28-year-old told the Northern Echo. "This year, we are able to work as a group, all four or five of us defenders together. That is very important.

"It helps you to understand each other better and it helps you get a good formation. We have not conceded very many goals in the last few matches and that is good.

"I had to come in at a time when the defenders had already worked together, and that is never an easy thing to do. This year we are all here at the same time and that should help us."

Newcastle face Manchester City on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.