Next monday night fixture at St. James’s Park will have some memorable occasion especially for Newcastle United and our in-form again Steve Harper.

A win against Chelsea would be our 1,000 post war league wins and also 100 league start for 33 years-old Harper. That would be our fourth win in succession at home. King Kev is not in the mood to be the first manager to taste a defeat against the London side since Chelsea’s have their last Premier League victory at St James’ Park was on 29 December 2001.

“My focus now is trying to win these last two football games we have and then trying to get three or four players in that can give us all a reason to come back with even more optimism than we have at the moment.” Keegan said.

Former United left-back Olivier Bernard also tipped United to do great once again and extend the unbeaten run into eight games. Bernard bagged the winner in 2003 against Chelsea to booked a place in the top four for the second season running under Sir Bobby Robson.

Steve Harper, who will mark his 100th league start with United said the game of the season would be against Chelsea at home on Monday. He said, we’re not interested in who wins the title, all we care about on Monday, is to go out and try to win that game.

He also praised Kevin Keegan’s tactical acumen since he returned to Newcastle United. Keegan’s phenomenal decision to change the Toon formation to a 4-3-3 formation at Birmingham has seen the Magpies flourish in recent weeks.

“He’s infectious, he just walks into a room and gets an extra 20 per cent out of players.” Harper said in SkySports website, “You have to give him a lot of credit tactically for what he did a couple of months ago. He changed the formation at Birmingham and got a big point when we needed it, and since then we’ve been a lot more solid at the back with a goal threat up front, and that’s a good combination.”

United winger James Milner has been sidelined since picked up bad foot injury in the 3-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield on March. But Keegan has told him that he will have the chance to get involve in United last two matches this season.

“He’s got a lot going for him. Like one or two players now, he’s found himself on the outside just by circumstance, and the fact the team’s put a run together.” Keegan said in an interview with ChronicleLive, “But James could well be included in the game against Chelsea on Monday.”

Milner also taking part in Toon last trip to West Ham although not been named as one of United substitutes. Keegan wants to show him that he’s care and Milner is the player he like to be part of Newcastle team.

Meanwhile, Alan Smith’s agent has rejected any reports that linking his man with a move to Rangers. Recent reports suggested the Ibrox side has lining up a swoop for United’s man in the summer.

Smith’s representative Alex Black says the player is happy at St James’ Park and want to be part of Keegan’s revolution next season.

“Alan has no intention of leaving Newcastle, he is happy at the club,” Black told skysports.com “Alan is not thinking about anything else but coming back fresh for next season and helping Newcastle to success.”

As being reported yesterday, despite numerously being linked with a big-money move to Arsenal since last year and having pressure from his loved one, Oba insists that he wants to stay in Kevin Keegan’s Toon revolution.

Both United and Martins already agreed in principle earlier, but while Newcastle fighting with relegation the concrete deal was delayed. Oba will have the increase in his weekly wage packet to around £90,000. He also agree to taking out the £13 million buy-out clause.

“Oba has been treated so well by everyone in Newcastle and he is happy and wants to stay. We have been in talks with the club and there are a couple of things to sort out, neither of which will break the deal,” said his agent Chris Nathaniel.

After finishing the deal with Martins, United chairman Chris Mort has vowed to start discuss a new deal with our local lad defender Steven Taylor. He was previously offered a new contract back in September, but Taylor was unimpressed with the deal. Under new manager Kevin Keegan, Taylor having insisted all along his only wish is to stay with the club he supported as a boy.

Another good news also coming from our classy right-back Habib Beye. He’s just arrived last summer from Marseille but recently he has shown his true character and demosntrate his pace when operating as a wing-back under Kevin Keegan. Beye enjoy his new role as much the Geordies love to see more of him so he has spoke of his desire to extend his present deal at Newcastle.

“I want to stay here for a lot of years,” he said as quoted from the Telegraph, “I have two years on my contract and maybe I have to speak with the manager for more years. I love this club and I love the city.”

“When I left Marseilles it was difficult because I played there for four years and everyone liked me. You come here and you don’t know the country and you don’t know the club. But when I came here everyone was friendly and the fans were brilliant. The stadium is incredible and it gives me great pleasure to play there.”

That’s rather shocking news if it’s real one. In an article from leadershipnigeria.com Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins has told about receiving several calls in daily basis from his fans in Nigeria, asking him to quit Newcastle United and join a bigger club in the Premier League.

However, Martins later on quickly reveal he is battling with pressures from his loved ones, who would rather prefer him playing for a top side like Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United. Martins also said the fans wanting him to quit because United was not playing in the Champions League.

“Most Nigerians support Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool. You cannot imagine how they are disturbing me,” Martins said but he is ready to stick things out and stay with Newcastle who has offering him a new contract with an improvement of 90-pounds-a-week wages.

Oba has scores 9 goals so far this season for United in all competitions, and seems to enjoy Keegan’s three-pronged attack system that gives him and Owen more of free role position in Newcastle’s 4-3-3 attacking scenario.

For me, if Oba decided to stay and ends his career with Newcastle, he will have the Champions League games not very long again. I also believe he will have more scoring chance next season rather than what he will get if he join those big-four clubs. With Newcastle, he will have the first team place every week for sure.

Meanwhile, today’s Toon transfer rumour mentioning the name of Athletic Bilbao £16m-rated 23-year-old centre-back Fernando Amorebieta. Other speculations are also including an interest from the Kop’s gaffer Rafa Benitez to sign Steve Harper in a possible exchange with Dutch hit man Dirk Kuyt.

The Journal claims that the Magpies was in the lead to bring Venezuelan-born star to St. James’ Park despite numerous interest from other premier league clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.

But the Basque Press write that Amorebieta has no immediate intention to end his contract with Bilbao which runs until 2011.

“The speculation is positive but it is not really in my plans to leave Bilbao,” said Amorebieta, “My future is here and I want to progress as a player. I have heard rumours since last summer but nobody has formally contacted my club.”

Kevin Keegan has seen we have good enough back-up for the future in our reserves squad, and he also keen to keep them together and maturing their skill before breaking through to the first team when the time is right.

Toon’s reserves skipper has played his first senior appearance under King Kev last Saturday when we make a nice revenge against Steve Coppell’s Royals squad. David Edgar has received numerous praise from his gaffer and also from Steve Coppell for his prformance last weekend.

This week, Newcastle reserves number one goalkeeper Fraser Forster has signed new contract that will keep him at United until 2010. Forster has been deputize Steve Harper in last couple of matches for the absence of Shay Given’s recovery from a groin injury.

“It’s nice to hear other people say that I’m the club’s most improved player, but I know there’s still plenty of work to be done and I’m looking forward to doing that with the people at this club.” Fraser said.

Kevin Keegan said he has worked extremely hard and was very keen to get him under contract which they did.

“We will look for him to continue his development here and there is no reason why he can’t go on to represent his country at under-21 level.” KK said.

20-year-old Hexham-born stopper has been a regular for the Magpies’ reserves this season with a string of top drawer performances and for all he has shown each game has been rewarded improved and extended terms. Congratulations Forster!