STEVE McCLAREN has been told he already has St James’ Park’s latest deadly double act to power Newcastle United clear of relegation trouble at his disposal.

The Magpies are still searching for a first Premier League win of the season, despite earning a credible 2-2 draw with reigning champions Chelsea on Saturday evening.

But the performance against the Blues has filled the head coach with greater encouragement, particularly after improvements in the final third.

McClaren’s decision to play skilful Ayoze Perez slightly behind stronger striker Aleksandar Mitrovic brought its rewards with a couple of goals.

Despite boasting a combined age of just 43, the Spanish-Serb combo showed potential and there are now hopes they can develop a better understanding of one another’s strengths to forge a long-term partnership.

It would be just what St James’ – the home of famous forward lines like Shearer-Ferdinand and Beardsley-Cole in the past - has been crying out for to give this season a lift after a depressing start.

Perez said: “We felt comfortable together (him and Mitro). We played closer together and spoke a lot to each other about what we wanted to do. We have shown we can score many goals together.

“I have to prove myself and get better. Sometimes in the second season it is harder. Last season I did well and I now have to keep the standard. As a striker I have to score goals and make chances for the team. I am working to do that.”

Perez struck his first of the season three minutes from half-time when he controlled Vuron Anita’s cross in the area before applying a sweet half-volley beyond Chelsea’s Asmir Begovic.

The 22-year-old then sent over the corner for Georginio Wijnaldum to head in Newcastle’s second, to effectively rubber-stamp his place in the Newcastle team ahead of this weekend’s trip to Manchester City.

Perez said: “I am really happy to get my first goal but I am a little bit sad because we dropped two points. It was a much better performance though, so we have to be happier. But we have to keep it this way. This is the standard.

“We worked as a team. That is the key in this league. If we keep this performance and this standard we can win, whatever team we play against.

“There are no excuses. We have done the work and we have to do that against every team. The win was very close. But we have to keep working to get it as soon as possible.”

Newcastle’s inexperience as a squad could be a crucial factor in the weeks ahead, particularly if McClaren cannot lead his team to a first win over City or Norwich before the trip to Sunderland on October 25.

But Perez believes there were enough positives to take from a performance against Jose Mourinho’s men to suggest Newcastle have the ability to spring a surprise at the Etihad and build from here.

He said: “We are a young side but we have many, many qualities in the squad and we can win against any team. That is what we have to think and have that in our minds.

“Manchester City is another tough game. But, as I said, if we play like we did against Chelsea we can win and get points in whatever stadium.”

With McClaren finally making progress towards the team and system he would like to field, he was satisfied yesterday with how forgotten man Sylvain Marveaux made a long awaited return to action.

The French forward emerged through 45 minutes of Under-21s football in a 1-1 draw with Swansea City at Whitley Park, Newcastle. He has been out since July with a groin problem and spent last season on loan at Guingamp.

Ivan Toney, who came off the bench against Chelsea, opened the scoring just after the hour when he lobbed the keeper following Gael Bigirimana’s pass. The Swans levelled four minutes later from the spot when Oliver McBurnie sent goalkeeper Rob Elliot the wrong way.

Newcastle: Elliot; Sterry (Suddick 73), Adu-Peprah (Gibson 18), Bigirimana, Newberry, Cameron, Cobain, Hunter, Toney, Marveaux (Longstaff 46), Barlaser. Subs (not used): Woolston, Pollock.