Souness salutes Jenas 'potential'

Graeme Souness welcomed Jermaine Jenas back into the Newcastle fold following his full England début but then insisted only the midfielder’s club career concerned him.

Jenas has started every one of Souness’ games in charge, and the Magpies boss believes the former Nottingham Forest midfielder has the ability to go a long way in the game.

Sunday’s visit to Charlton Athletic caps a whirlwind week for the 21-year-old, who was handed his first start by Sven-Goran Eriksson against Azerbaijan on Wednesday with captain David Beckham ruled out through both injury and suspension.

Jenas, playing on the right-hand side of a three-man midfield in Baku, had an impressive game as England recorded an important win in the World Cup qualifier.

But Souness says his only concern was that Jenas returned to Tyneside injury-free and ready to line up against the Addicks at The Valley.

Asked about Jenas’ long-awaited full England debut, Souness said: “He’s got a big game on Sunday as well, that’s where my loyalties are.

“I’m only interested in what is important for this football club and that’s getting a result on Sunday. I’m grateful that Jermaine’s come back with no problems, hopefully he’ll be refreshed by Sunday but it does take its toll.

“He’s a young player who started his first game for England, but that’s not my business being a Scotsman!”

Souness added: “I don’t want to go overboard but he’s got potential, he could be anything he wants to be.

“The problem will come in two or three years time when he’s been in and around this team for a while and has got pots of money. You have to see if he still has the desire. In terms of ability, he’s got as much was he wants.”

Meanwhile Olivier Bernard has admitted that he came back from an ankle injury too early in a bid to impress newly-appointed Souness.

But the left-back insists his troublesome ankle, which he injured in Bobby Robson’s last game in charge at Aston Villa, is finally on the mend following the break for international football.

Bernard said: “I’ve been struggling with my ankle for one-and-a-half months. I came back and the injury didn’t settle down. I was just out for two weeks, I tried to come back earlier and hurt it again.

“When you know the new coach is coming in, you try to get fit as quickly as possible. I wanted to show him what I can do.

“I went to France last week to get it sorted, but there wasn’t enough time to get it repaired completely but I will OK to play. The two weeks international break have helped. It’s getting better.”

Bernard is out of contract next summer, and talks between the Frenchman and the club are currently at a stalemate.