Kevin Keegan has welcome back all four African contingent after the end of African Cup of Nations. Beye, Faye, Geremi and Martins all together have been involved in the training session.
Keegan said Newcastle has benefit ahead of Saturday’s fixture with Manchester United from last weekend FA Cup’s day off.
“We have to try to get the balance right in the break and I believe it will be a good thing,” Special K told Newcastle World TV. “By the time we come to Man Utd we would have had everyone together for the first time.”
“Geremi is now back and I’ve now met all of the lads and have got to know everyone that little bit better during the break. The lads have been very focussed and we’ve got through some good work.” King Kev added more.
Keegan has told his squad to get along with what we have until the end of the season. He also challenged the Toon players to make the best of that, and start “nailing down” first-team spots. King Kev hasn’t make any decision of who are his strongest XI.
“We need a win. That’s all we lack at the moment. The confidence will come flowing back and the football will get better and the players will start to trust each other that little bit more.”
“I said to the players ‘There’s no-one nailing much down in terms of the first-team’,” explained Keegan. “Usually you have seven, eight or nine who are definite regulars. But that’s an incentive for everyone at the club to get in the team.”
Keegan said he will also open the door for United’s young players. The young guys have got the future at Newcastle and it’s down to them as much as it is to the club.
One of those promising young starlets that has special attention from Keegan is the Hungary under-21 defender Tamas Kadar.
“Tamas Kadar has taken everything in his stride. He does not speak the language but he is learning one or two things.” King Kev explained, “But on a football field where there is a language all of its own he is saying all the right things.”
United also have Fabio Zamblera who signed from Atalanta, Ben Tozer and Wesley Ngo Baheng comes in, and Keegan believes they are keep learning something new every day and can be the next United’s star when they time is finally arrived.