Steven Taylor: “One of the biggest things from my point of view is that a lot of respect has got to go to the Sunderland fans for all they have done for John and Liam.
"That was a massive thing.
“I even think it’s gone a but unnoticed in the build-up to the game.
"For them to raise over £33,000, and they were just aiming for £100 at the start, for me is amazing. I have a lot of time that for and so do all the lads here.
“You will never take away the passion, the rivalry.
"You need that as well. The fans want excitement and when you live in a football city like Newcastle, they love this game, the buzz of the derby.
“It’s a way of life and it’s great for us to be involved in. We are looking forward to it and so I am sure the Sunderland players are.
“Of course we want to win for the fans and ourselves.
"But to go back to what the Sunderland fans did for the guys, I think that has to be mentioned above anything else. That’s the most important thing.”