Harlequins skipper Will Skinner has urged fans and players to keep the faith as his side goes in search of a first win of the season at Newcastle tonight.

The Premiership’s crisis-club has endured a wretched start to the campaign with Saturday’s 22-9 defeat to Saracens making it three defeats from their opening three games.

Head coach John Kingston has insisted the players are doing nothing different to the approach they took last season, which saw Quins finish second in the league table and reach the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup.

But a string of injuries to key players - including Gonzalo Camacho, Gonzalo Tiesi, Jordan Turner-Hall and James Percival - have not helped matters on the field as Kingston’s men look to bounce back from the so-called ‘Bloodgate’ scandal.

Suspensions for full-back Tom Williams and second-row George Robson have also derailed plans to make a flying start to the campaign, but Skinner insists one win can turn the tide.

“Of course we are disappointed with the three losses, but we know we are ready to win. We’ve had good preparation this week and we are still really positive,” he said.

“It is not panic stations yet by any stretch. There is a lot of rugby to be played yet, but we cannot allow this run to continue.

“We know our style of play works and we will be sticking to that and the tempo, we just need to get stuck into teams early.

“The last time we played at Newcastle on a Friday night we were in a similar situation and came away with a very hard fought win in difficult conditions. It sparked a really good run for us.

“Hopefully, we can do the same again and get back to winning ways.”

Winger Ugo Monye looks set to continue at full-back - where he impressed again at the weekend - with Mike Brown (hand) still a week from full-fitness and Williams sidelined until November 19.

England number 15 Delon Armitage is set to miss the autumn internationals having undergone shoulder surgery earlier this month, and Skinner insists international team boss Martin Johnson could do worse than take a look at the inform British & Irish Lion as a potential replacement.

“Ever since Ugo has come back into the Premiership he has been there or thereabouts. Someone with his pace is always going to be,” he added.

“Since coming back from the Lions he has been a different player, full of confidence and has been able to pass on what he has learnt to others, which has helped us all.

“If he is playing regularly at full-back in the Premiership and at European level then I would see no reason why England wouldn’t look at him.

“Ugo is versatile and can fill a number of positions, which is what you need from a back these days.”

Harlequins’ next three games: Sept 25 Newcastle Falcons (a), Oct 3 Bath (h), 10 Cardiff Blues (HCup, a).