We may not involve as a contender in the title race this season or somewhere near in one or two years to come. But, I’m glad we have taking part in 2007-2008 championship title race between Manchester United and Chelsea, as we will meet one of them next Monday night fixture.

Our first meeting with Chelsea this season was ended with bad result for us. We have been controversially lost 2-1 by an offside goal, and put more pressure to the former manager. But for the next home fixture against the London team, Kevin Keegan is ‘deadly serious about trying to beat Chelsea’.

“The one thing that’s important for me is that we get the chance to test ourselves against one of the big four.” Keegan said, “I don’t think it’s our cup final, it’s Chelsea’s cup final and our chance to see how we’ve progressed. But it’s a game I’d like to win.”

The same feeling also expressed by our Cameroon international Geremi. He is determined to help Newcastle to victory against his former club.

“It’s the last game at home, in front of our fans, against one of the big teams,” he said. “We’ve been playing well in the last few weeks and it’s a big opportunity to send a message, it’s a big test for us to see how far we can go.”

From our last 14 home meetings in premiership encounters with them we have won seven times, three draws, and lost four. In 2004/05, Geremi’s own goal gave us 1-1 draw, while the last win against them at home was in 2005/06 with a goal from Titus Bramble.

Ahead of tomorrow fixture at home against Reading, a different St. James atmosphere is blooming heavily as United will looking for another bright performance and determination to finish this season on a high.

We are now nine points clear of the relegation after bagged in two victories against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday, and Keegan wants a hattrick this weekend against Reading.

Keegan has warned everyone that the job is not finish yet. The last six games with three of them are playing at home, are as crucial as before. Keegan adamant to keep the pace up and not allow Newcastle players to take their foot off the gas.

“I want them to kick on and finish the season on a high so that everyone thinks ‘I can’t wait to get back next season to see what happens’.” Said Keegan in the official site, “And that’s not just the players, but the staff and supporters as well.”

On the other occasion, Keegan admits he had been look in weeks at Cameroon star Geremi after his comeback from the African Cup of Nations last January before deciding he need to find a right place for him in his team.

The 29-year-old have a recall at Birmingham City last month and played his part in a 1-1 draw before start to performing very well in subsequent victories against Fulham and Spurs where he has chipped in three assists and first goal for the club in which has won warm applause from his gaffer.

“He’s a real good man to have around your club,” KK told Newcastle World TV, “I had a look at him and thought, ‘Is he a winger or is he a full-back?’, and everything I saw on the training pitch made me say, ‘I have to find a place in the side for him’.”

Keegan also praised ex-Real Madrid and Chelsea man as an experienced player and his delivery from set-plays is fantastic. His goal against Spurs is a clever one and Keegan said he was delighted for him.

Newcastle United juniors extended unbeaten start to 2008 as they were held to a goalless draw by Middlesbrough in the Tyne-Tees derby, said the official club.

Ben Tozer and Tamas Kadar played in the full 90 minutes at the club’s Little Benton Academy. Kadar teed-up James Marwood for the hosts’ best opening chance before the break, while Michael McCrudden point blank header saved by Matt Atkinson before Dan Leadbitter almost caught out the Boro stopper with a high cross in the closing stages.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Woodgate will not returning to the Magpies squad despite some widespread reports on Saturday that he was set to sign his second spell for United.

“At this moment I don’t think he is going to come to Newcastle, in fact I am almost certain he isn’t. I think he is going to go somewhere else.” Keegan said, quoted from the official club site, “It looks like we have lost him. I am very disappointed. I fully understand though. But I desperately want him to come.”

News from the African Cup of Nations, Martins and Nigeria will need a win on their last group game against Benin to keep their hope alive to the next stage after being held to a goalless draw by Mali at Sekondi stadium yesterday. They will also need the help from Ivory Coast to overcoming Mali.

The other Newcastle’s player, Geremi Njitap has a goal under his name on Cameroon’s 5-1 wins over Zambia. Geremi’s scores in 27 minutes courtesy of his well-struck free kick. Joseph Desire Job scores twice while Achilles Emana and Samuel Eto’o scores the other Cameroon’s goals.