Keegan looks to African stars

Magpies manager hoping for improved performance

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 22nd February 2008

Keegan Kevin Villa v Newcastle

Keegan: Hoping for boost

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Kevin Keegan hopes his returning African players can inspire Newcastle to victory over Manchester United on Saturday evening.

The Magpies have not won since Keegan returned to St James' Park and they will have bad memories of the last time they faced United, as they were demolished 6-0 just six weeks ago.

Keegan has demanded an improvement and is confident the likes of Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Faye, Geremi and Obafemi Martins will make a difference.

"They are not internationals for any other reason than they are very good players," said the Newcastle boss.

"They give us options, we can play different ways with them. They are different players to the ones that were here before, big and strong in the case of Faye, and quick and pacy in the case of Beye.

Small squad

"When you have got a small squad and you lose four players, it's a lot to lose.

"Any club losing that amount of players would feel the squad is a little bit short because they are all internationals, they are all playing at the top level.

"They have come back and I know when you get a new manager in, it means a new beginning for a lot of players, so you do get an initial wave of enthusiasm."

Martins is still nursing a hamstring injury and is set to miss out against United, but Beye, Faye and Geremi are all available.