Keegan issues Chelsea warning

Kevin Keegan has warned Chelsea they will have to be at their best if they are to leave St James' Park with their Barclays Premier League title hopes intact.

The Newcastle boss is relishing the chance to pitch his improving side into battle with the Champions League finalists on Monday knowing they could have a major say in the destiny of this season's championship.

Keegan said: "There is no doubt about it, Chelsea will expect to come to Newcastle and get something - that's why they are at the top of the league. But expecting it and getting it... there is a game of 90-odd minutes in between that needs playing."

He added: "We have a good record against Chelsea at St James' Park over the last few years, so that in some ways will be an inspiration to us.

"But it won't be enough on it's own to help us win. We need a performance, we need to show ourselves in a good light and we need to pick up, I guess, a Tottenham-type performance.

"That, with the crowd behind us, will see us give them a hell of a game.

"If they come through that and they become champions in the next week, 10 days, they will deserve it."

Keegan hopes to have defenders Abdoulaye Faye and David Edgar fit after groin and head injuries, respectively, although Claudio Cacapa is on standby.

Midfielder James Milner will return to the squad after almost two months on the sidelines with a foot problem.