Sunderland fan Chris Waddle’s experience of Wear-Tyne derbies was limited to a solitary outing, when he lined up for the Mackems at St James’s Park in April 1997.
The match ended 1-1.
Waddle believes Sunderland summer signings Wes Brown, Craig Gardner Seb Larsson and John O’Shea – if the defender recovers from a hamstring strain – will be undaunted on Saturday after playing in Manchester and Birmingham derbies.
But Waddle raised a question mark over Yohan Cabaye, Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux – will they be similarly equipped.
Chris Waddle: “Newcastle have lost (Kevin) Nolan, and (Joey) Barton looks like he could still be on his way.
“The big influential figures are not there now and that will be a big loss to them.
“Alan Pardew has signed a couple of French lads who might find it a bit strange to run out in front of 40,000 screaming Sunderland fans. It will be interesting to see how they handle it.
“The experience of Wes Brown and John O’Shea will be very important.
“They are very experienced players, who have been involved in the Champions League and international football. They have been at the top, know how to handle pressure, and should be a good example.
“When you are signing players of that calibre, it gives everyone at the club a lift.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up 0-0. Newcastle will struggle to score goals this season, as I think Sunderland will.
“But in a derby game anything can happen, as we saw last year with the 5-1 which I don’t think anyone saw coming. That was never on the cards before the game.
“I think Sunderland will still think they have a score to settle.”