Given warns Keegan

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given has warned Kevin Keegan that the job ahead for the new boss may be tougher than he is expecting. Newcastle start this weekend with two games in a row against Arsenal in the FA Cup, then the Premiership.

"I guess these two games against a top team like Arsenal will provide us all with a marker for how far we have to go to break into the big four," said the Irishman ahead of today's FA Cup clash at the Emirates.

"They could probably put out two different teams, while we have to stick with the same lads. That is the measure of the difference in the strength of depth between us and them.

"But luckily we have an owner who seems keen to back the manager. It will take time for Kevin to get the players he wants to build the squad back up again.

"Manchester United and Arsenal have been at the top with long-serving managers. They also have teams which have been a long time in the planning. They have built superbly and play great football. There is no need for them to change their managers.

"We know playing Arsenal away twice will not be easy and the odds will be stacked against us, yet the boss isn’t silly."