Kinnear: I feel like I'm on trial

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear feels he is constantly “on trial” as he attempts to drag the club to Premier League safety.

Speaking at the end of a week during which he was hit with a second Football Association charge, the 61-year-old admitted the intense scrutiny the club attracts means his every move is closely examined.

However, as he prepares for tomorrow’s trip to Portsmouth, Kinnear is confident both he and his players have what it will take to get themselves out of a difficult situation.

He said: “I feel like I am on trial in every single game, or every moment of each match, with how important things are.

“But on the positive side, I have always said one more point each week is one point closer to safety.

“I always look at the teams we are playing against considering the team we are putting out, and I always have a fear factor.

“But I have make sure my side is well keyed up for it, and as far as that has been concerned, that’s been excellent.

“I have had a fantastic response from any player I have asked to do a difficult job.

“We have had to play various players out of position this season, but nevertheless, we are still in there.”

Injuries have been a feature of Kinnear’s reign to date – he had no fit full-backs when he arrived on Tyneside and ended up with a makeshift midfield in last Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Stoke – and he is hoping as many players as possible can prove their fitness in time for this weekend.

No fewer than five men – Sebastien Bassong, Nicky Butt, Danny Guthrie, Damien Duff and Shola Ameobi – will undergo late fitness tests before the Magpies party leaves for the South Coast.

The potential inclusion of 18-year-old Kazenga LuaLua, the younger brother of former Newcastle striker Lomana, in the squad is a reflection on the huge holes injuries have already punched in Kinnear’s resources.

He said: “You have to get on with it, I am not making excuses over that. That’s part and parcel of having a strong squad at the club.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t got a strong squad and injuries hurt us – well, they don’t make us any better.

“I have yet to get the best XI put since I have been here. Hopefully, that will change in the new year.”

Kinnear hopes to persuade Michael Owen, Butt, Steve Harper and Ameobi, who are all out of contract at the end of the season, to sign new deals when he sits down with them on Tuesday, and is also confident owner Mike Ashley is ready to fund two signings next month.

Meanwhile, the former Wimbledon boss, who will not contest an FA improper conduct charge, will fight the charge of using abusing and insulting words towards a match official with which he was hit on Monday.

He said: “I am going up with a team of my own lawyers to fight the case because I don’t know to this day what it is about.

“They said foul and abusive language – nonsense, absolute nonsense.”