Ryan Fraser on arrival of 'monster' January signing and dressing room influence after Everton win

Ryan Fraser claims playing alongside Kieran Trippier is like lining up alongside a 'monster' after the Magpies recent win over Everton.

The arrival of the England international on Tyneside sent out a statement to the rest of the Premier League, and after a four game unbeaten run the transfer looks more impressive with each passing game.

The £12million fee paid to Atletico now looks like an absolute bargain, not just after the right-back's recent performances but the steely mentality he's instilled in the Magpies dressing room.

Speaking to NUFC TV, Fraser said: "I've got to say Kieran, since he's come to the club, with me, everyone, he's been unbelievable. Not just on the pitch - obviously his performances have been top, top, top, but off the pitch I can't praise him any higher.

"Small things, getting the lads morale up, making everyone play better. I've been playing with him for a short time, the two smallest players on the pitch, but I feel like I'm playing with a monster beside me. That's what he brings. He brings confidence and tries to make everyone better.

"He's been brilliant since he came to the club and I'm not just saying that."

The win against the Toffees lifts the Magpies out of the relegation zone for the first time since October and after picking up eight points from their last four games, the Toon are in a much brighter place.

The club were condemned by a number of outsiders for their trip to Saudi Arabia, but Fraser believes the 'team bonding' trip has brought the squad closer together.

"It's huge," said Fraser. "Back-to-back wins are so hard to come by in the Premier League and after the Leeds game, I think people thought we'd go away and have a jolly. It wasn't like that. We went away and worked