NEWCASTLE United's French foreign legion will be given a crash course in derby history to prepare them for the "unique" atmosphere of a Tyne-Wear tussle.
United will hope to take care of European business before moving to domestic matters but the derby game looms large over the horizon for both teams in their April programme.
And James Perch says that United's crop of derby debutants – which could number five if Mathieu Debuchy and Massaido Haïdara recover from injury in time – will be fully briefed before they take on Sunderland in their "biggest game of the season".
Perch appeared in the last derby game at the Stadium of Light and acknowledges that it would be folly to send Moussa Sissoko, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Haïdara, Youan Gouffran and Debuchy into the match without some sort of warning about what the game will entail.
In previous years the Newcastle management have tried different techniques to prepare their team for the game, including staying overnight in a hotel last year and a video montage in previous years. Perch is sure that Alan Pardew and the rest of the coaching team will have something similar in mind this year.
"The staff, the manager will let them know the importance of it and what it's all about. They've played in derbies but I don't think it will be the same. This is unique.
"I have played in the Nottingham Forest-Notts County derby game, which is big in that part of the Midlands but it doesn't get anywhere close to this one.
"They aren't stupid, they are experienced players so they know what rivalries are all about but sometimes you just need to be given advice and things to look out for.
"The management here have always done that really well – they've prepared us brilliantly for these derby games and they'll do it again.
the game, we take a bit more time leading up to that game than we do to others, which is understandable as it's our biggest game of the season.
"I've only played in one – I came on this year at Sunderland and loved it. It's a brilliant atmosphere, tackles are flying – I love it."
First up for Perch and United is the small matter of a trip to Manchester City, which arrives with Newcastle far from safe in their battle to retain Premier League status. They should have Tim Krul back, however, with the Dutch goalkeeper returning to training yesterday in a bid to win back his place for the run-in.
Keeping the defence together will be key to progress at home and abroad, where Newcastle stand on the verge of a record if they keep another clean sheet in the Europa League tie in Lisbon.
So far they have shut out Anzhi and Metalist Kharkiv and they know that another shut-out would be a modern record. Perch said: "It would be amazing to get the record.
"We've had some good results, played against some good teams and got through to a stage where it's very serious now. I'm delighted we're somewhere where a lot of fans can go. I'm sure we'll take more than a few supporters."
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