Williamson has been a regular since his move from Portsmouth in January

Newcastle defender Mike Williamson is determined that he and his team-mates will achieve promotion as league champions this season.

The Magpies top the Championship by three points from rivals West Brom and are determined to win the big prize to return to the Premier League.

"We want to be there come 2 May, and getting back-to-back wins pushes up confidence," he told BBC Newcastle.

"We want to be at the top of the league and it's where we want to stay."

Williamson was a January signing from Premier League strugglers Portsmouth, having failed to make an appearance during his four-and-a-half months on the South Coast after joining from Watford.

And despite figuring in the majority of Newcastle's games following his move, the Stoke-on-Trent-born centre-back admitted he can understand the decisions made by boss Chris Hughton with a hectic three months of football to play in the Championship title race.

"You speak to any player that they want to play week-in, week-out so it's disappointing when you're not selected," he said.

"But you've got to respect the manager and his decisions, he's got his reasons and his methods, but I'm just glad to be back in tonight to get in a good performance and a win."

Williamson rose to prominence with Wycombe Wanderers following spells with Torquay and Southampton, earning himself a move to Watford before a £2m move to Portsmouth during last summer.

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