AUDIO: Nigel Adkins wants Iron to learn from Newcastle United

NIGEL Adkins wants Scunthorpe United to use their defeat at Newcastle as a learning curve to improve their chances of staying in the Championship.

The Iron boss labelled the Magpies 'champions in waiting' after watching Andy Carroll (two) and Peter Lovenkrands condemn his side to a fifth successive away defeat.

And after seeing the way the table-topping outfit bossed possession at St James' Park, Adkins wants his side to try and match their hosts' effort in their remaining 10 matches.

"It was a tough evening - but only what we expected," said Adkins, who rested several players in light of the Iron's crucial two games against Plymouth and Peterborough.

"Newcastle are a top side, a Premier League side, the champions in waiting.

"We knew coming here was going to be a massive challenge for everybody.

"The players have been able to see how hard they've got to work, in and out of possession.

That's the bench mark in Newcastle and it's been good for some of the youngers to see how much they have got to keep improving and not think they have made it.

"To be 2-0 down after 20 minutes, you would have probably thought Newcastle would have run away with it, but credit to the players, they've only gone and lost the second half 1-0."

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton refused to confirm that five more wins this season would clinch the Magpies an instant return to the Premier League.

And he insists he will have no problems keeping his players focused, despite promotion already looking a certainty.

"Yes it's my job to keep expectations on the ground, but I don't see it being difficult to bring them back down to earth," he said.

"It's understandable people outside of the club, the supporters, will think we're going to get promoted, but it won't be difficult with this group of lads.

"They are very focused on what they want to achieve."

To hear more from both bosses, click on the audio players below.