Kinnear feared for Viduka

Viduka: Successful comeback against Boro

By his own admission he was going back to Australia at the end of the season and turning it in, but hopefully he has changed his mind.

Kinnear on Viduka
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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has admitted he thought experienced striker Mark Viduka's career may have been over.

Prior to last weekend's appearance against Middlesbrough, the Australian hit-man had spent the previous six months on the sidelines with an Achilles injury

Viduka suffered no reaction from his first Premier League appearance of the season and Kinnear believes the talented striker still has one more season left in him.

Newcastle are currently languishing at the wrong end of the table and former Nottingham Forest manager Kinnear knows Viduka's return has given everyone in the dressing room a lift.

Career over?

"To be honest, we thought Viduka was probably finished," admitted Kinnear.

"We thought his injury was a lot more severe, but he seems to have made a miraculous recovery.

"By his own admission he was going back to Australia at the end of the season and turning it in, but hopefully he has changed his mind.

"We certainly think he has got another year in him.

No reaction

"He has not had any reaction to playing on Saturday and he is fine. We really thought his career was in the balance and that's why he went to Australia.

"Fair credit to him he has worked extremely hard to get back into shape.

"There's a bigger buzz about the club now that he is back, because he is a big player with a big personality in the dressing room."