Chris Hughton insists moving out of the Premier League's relegation places even this early in the season could prove a key moment for his squad.

City's timely 3-1 top flight win over West Ham saw them enter the international shut down in 15th place, two spots and one point out of the bottom three, after climbing above the Hammers, Stoke and Fulham. Hughton is confident the latest international break will not check their momentum ahead of a trip to former club Newcastle in a fortnight's time.

'It is a massive lift for the players,' he said. 'There is no doubt psychologically it is a blow for the players to be in that bottom three so hopefully that gives them the boost that we need. Beating West Ham is a very good result for us but we have to make sure we take that into Newcastle away and Crystal Palace at home because we have to build on it.

'It is always nice to go into the internationals with a win. I think they should make it a three week break now and throw in a couple of extra games so we get a nice break. On a serious note, the way the game is now you really put more into each performance in terms of the preparation and everything that goes with it.

'It has been a stressful period but that will be the case next week and the week after in this game. It is just trying to make sure you keep on doing the things that you believe are right and you say the things you believe you are right.'

City's fighting spirit and resolve were again tested against the Hammers after falling behind at Carrow Road.

Captain Russell Martin insists the qualities that carried them from League One remain as strong as ever within the dressing room despite a major summer overhaul of the squad to bring in fresh talent.

'For me that is the identity of this club,' he said. 'In League One and the Championship there was a sense that we had things against us and we did it on a lot smaller budget than other sides. The club had debt as well so all those things can be used to foster a siege mentality.

'Now you get to the Premier League and you have a taste of it you don't want to play your football anywhere else.'