Keegan hails returning stars

Kevin Keegan has paid special tribute to his stars who are returning from action. Newcastle find themselves on a mini run of form winning three games in a row - seemingly putting them in the Premiership safety zone.

Keegan said: 'He's on fire at the moment. He was unlucky not to get a goal against Reading and he's chomping at the bit to get back in the team but we have a few of those.

'Then it'll be James Milner in the next ten days wanting to get back in and obviously Steven Taylor. We've got Andy Carroll too and other young lads.

'Alan Smith; you couldn't have anyone better to bring on. I know he would prefer to play, but wow, he covers you in so many positions and he's got a great attitude.

'We've not only got a good squad of players at the minute, we've also got a good squad around it.'