Magpies aim to extend unbeaten run

Newcastle’s growing confidence will be put to the test as they bid to extend their unbeaten Premiership run to six games against Manchester City on Sunday.

The game will see Kevin Keegan, the man who brought Alan Shearer to St James’ Park in 1996, again lock horns with the striker.

It could be the last time the pair clash on Tyneside with 34-year-old Shearer due to retire at the end of the season but there will be little room for sentiment.

Graeme Souness’ Magpies want to build on their three wins and two draws since Bobby Robson’s managerial reign came to an end and City are looking to follow up their impressive win over Chelsea.

“We’re unbeaten under the new manager, so we can’t complain,” said defender Andy O’Brien. “Away from home, we’ve done better and certainly at home, we’ve done all right.

“People might say there are teams that we should have beaten and maybe earlier in the season we weren’t getting the results, but it’s nice now that we’re getting more.”

Newcastle have drawn their last two league games, at Birmingham and Charlton, despite taking the lead in both, although they had to fight back at St Andrews to claim a point and survive a late onslaught at The Valley.

They won the corresponding fixture handsomely 3-0 last season with a Shearer double although a 1-0 defeat at the City of Manchester Stadium in May proved critical in their failure to clinch a top-four finish.

Striker Patrick Kluivert, who missed the midweek UEFA Cup clash with Greek side Panionios as he continued his recovery from a hamstring problem and surgery to remove a wisdom tooth, could return.

Nicky Butt is also available after serving the second game of his three-match European ban.