Beye: Settled quickly

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Kevin Keegan has lauded Habib Beye for the determination the defender has shown in recent weeks.

The Senegalese international has put in a number of impressive displays during the Magpies' recent revival and appears to have quickly adjusted to life in the Premier League.

The former Marseille skipper was signed by Keegan's predecessor Sam Allardyce last summer, and his no-nonsense attitude has gone down a storm at St James' Park.

Commitment

"The guy is going out there looking like it's life and death almost," said Keegan.

"He has that attitude.

"Habib Beye has got tremendous athleticism. He is a good man around the dressing room, and I think you can tell the fans are really taking to him because they can see that commitment.

"There are a lot of things that get the crowd going here: one is exciting football, like the third goal against Reading on Saturday.

"The other is a good tackle, and Habib Beye can certainly do that."

Outstanding

Beye has been a fixture in the Newcastle squad throughout the season, but has recently made the right-back spot his own following Stephen Carr's absence from the side.

It is not just his defending which has impressed during his short time on Tyneside though, he has also proven to be more than useful at creating opportunities for others at the opposite end of the field.

Saturday's comprehensive 3-0 victory over Reading provided the perfect example of his attacking capabilities as he laid on two of the goals for Michael Owen and Mark Viduka.

"Habib was absolutely outstanding," said a delighted Keegan.

"You cannot play right-back any better than that in the system we had."