Newcastle United chairman Chris Mort says they've saved football by bringing Kevin Keegan back to the game.

He told the Evening Chronicle: "Everyone in the game I have heard talk about his return to football has said he is such a great guy to have back.

"He is just what the Premier League needs in terms of the sort of managers we already have.

"We hope he will excite people with the sort of football he will bring to the Premier League.

"I am delighted to see him back and I am sure that is the same for the rest of football.

"He is a guy who has been sorely missed while he has been away."

Keegan confessed he had barely watched a live game during his time out from football.

But Mort isn't concerned in the slightest by his self-imposed breather from the hectic world of the Premier League.

He added: "From my personal perspective, I think it's great he has had a break. As people can see, and people have seen previously, he gives 150% and, from his point of view, that break has been good.

"It has re-charged his batteries.

"He has massive enthusiasm to work hard and get this club going again."