But the Cottagers have beaten the Magpies once already this season - on the opening night of the campaign back in August - and Jokanovic says his team have "confidence" that they can do so again at St. James' Park on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Rafa Benítez’s side picked up seven points from three successive away games at promotion rivals Brighton, Huddersfield and Reading.

And Jokanovic told Fulham’s official website: "They made great investments, they are a big club and they deserve to be where they are right now.

"All of our games are tough games, and this one is away against the top Championship team. But we are in a good moment of form and we have got confidence to try and deliver our best performance and fight for the points.

"I know [Benitez], I have had the opportunity to speak with him and I know him from when we played the first game at the beginning of the Championship.

"He is a big name in our competition, he is a quality coach, he is successful, he is a winner of the Champions League and many trophies. He is a very good manager but my job is to try and find a way to beat him."

Fulham are set to be without Floyd Ayité while Lucas Piazon, on loan from Chelsea, has been ruled out.

The Cottagers drew with Leeds in midweek and are just outside the play-off places.

Matt Smith scored the only goal as they won 1-0 against Newcastle at Craven Cottage but Jokanovic doesn’t think that result will have any bearing on Saturday.

"It was the beginning of the Championship. After that game we played many games, and in that moment of the competition no-one knew who was who, and we've gone and surprised them a little bit.

"It was a good night for ourselves but this was many months ago and now it’s a different situation, a different moment in the competition and now we must be ready for what is here in front of us."