Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan has vowed to help Newcastle silence the doom-mongers tipping them for a relegation scrap.

The Magpies will be back in the big time in 2010/11 after strolling to the Championship title last term.

They are, however, among the favourites to slip back into the second tier, with the Premier League an increasingly fearsome prospect for promoted sides.

The exploits of Wolves and Birmingham last season will have given them hope, but there is a feeling that the North East outfit could be in for a tough campaign.

Former Magpies favourites such as Malcolm Macdonald have admitted as much, airing their fears for Chris Hughton's side.

Nolan, though, is adamant that Newcastle have the ability to hold their own among England's elite.

Last season's Championship player of the year, who bagged 19 goals from midfield, insists those critics who are already writing the club off will be made to eat their words once the season comes to a close next May.

"I'm sick of hearing ex-pros saying we're not good enough," said Nolan.

"They were a bunch of nobodies when they first went up and they made names for themselves.

"We had to prove a lot of people wrong in the Championship and we will have to prove them wrong again in the Premier League."