Newcastle resume their Premiership campaign bottom of the table, but with victory over Exeter Chiefs last month - ending a run of 25 consecutive league losses - still fresh in the mind.

They have since won all three of their Premiership Rugby Cup matches this month, including a one-point win over Sale Sharks, building belief and confidence in the squad.

On Friday they welcome Saracens to Kingston Park (19:45 GMT), with Diamond hoping that home advantage pays dividends.

"I'm delighted with the run in the Prem Cup," he said.

"It's not the Premiership obviously, but from where we were to where we're trying to get to, the momentum is good to effectively win four out of five games," he said.

"With the weather changing considerably across the country, it does give the feeling that we know what we're doing a bit more up here on a Friday night.

"The teams are in the hotel from Thursday lunchtime, coming out here in the howling wind and sleet and snow.

"Confidence is good and there is no reason why we can't come out on Friday night and play the game plan that we've put in place and believe that works because it has worked over the last three or four weeks."