NEWCASTLE UNITED defender Daryl Janmaat has backed former boss Ronald Koeman to be a success in the Premier League – but only after his Southampton side host the Magpies this weekend.

Janmaat worked under the former Barcelona defender at Feyenoord for two years before the pair both left the Eredivisie for the Premier League this summer.

The Holland right-back signed a six-year deal at St James’ Park in June, the same month Koeman was unveiled as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor at St Mary’s.

The 51-year-old has big shoes to fill with his predecessor having led the Saints to an eighth place finish in the Premier League last season, while he has also had to deal with the departures of several key players including Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Dejan Lovren.

Janmaat will come face to face with his old boss when Alan Pardew’s side travel to the south coast on Saturday and the right-back revealed he is relishing taking on Koeman.

“It’s nice for me to come up against him (Koeman),” Janmaat said. “He’s a good trainer. It’ll be nice to see him in the Premier League and I’m looking forward to playing against him.

“I think he is going to do well at Southampton. It takes time because they lost their manager and a lot of good players and it’s not easy to win games and play around when there’s been a lot of changes.

“I’m sure he’s going to do well because he’s a great trainer.”

Janmaat scored his first goal for Newcastle in the home draw with Crystal Palace, a result that left the Magpies still looking for their first league win of the season.

The Holland international believes Europe is a realistic aim for his new club, but admits this season may come too soon for Pardew’s new-look squad.

He said: “I don’t know what we can do, but I think we have to focus on every game. We can do well.

“We have a good squad and we have to take each game as it comes and at the end of the season we’ll see where we end up.

“We want to play in Europe. I don’t know if it’s possible this year but we want to and we will do everything to make that happen.”

Janmaat has been on international duty this week, but will return to Tyneside along with several other players over the next few days.

Goalkeeper Rob Elliot was an unused substitute in the Republic of Ireland’s European Championship qualifying win over Georgia on Sunday.

Elliot’s long-term future on Tyneside is in doubt following the signing of Karl Darlow from Nottingham Forest, and the keeper admits he may have to consider his option at the end of the season.

“My previous competitive game was with Ireland in May. It's been really tough," he said. “I've been a bit frustrated. I've wanted to play - I don't want to get the tag of just being a number two keeper.

“I believe I can play in the Premier League and I want to try and push Tim Krul as much as I can. I've spoken to Alan Pardew about that, and he knows and he's fine about that.

“I've got a good relationship with him, but it's just a case of waiting for my opportunity. Last year was a bit frustrating because I only got a few games.

“You get times when you think, 'Right, I need to play' and that's the thing, the big thing for me.

“I love the club - anyone who has been there knows what an amazing city it is, how fantastic the fans are - but I want to play football.

“I hope it is at Newcastle, but if it's not, it's not. I think after this season, depending on how many games I get, I'll have to look at it and see what happens.”

Newcastle let Hatem Ben Arfa join Hull City on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day, and the midfielder has wasted no time in impressing at the KC Stadium.

Ben Arfa scored in a behind-closed-doors friendly with West Brom, which ended 2-2.

Meanwhile, versatile defender Ryan Taylor has returned to full training after over a year on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

Janmaat was speaking at a Newcastle United Foundation event at the Discovery Museum’s Toon Times exhibition.