Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan has sought to give fans a reality check over his plans for the summer market.

"We could be like Everton, who broke that top-four grip one year, but whether we could stay there is another matter," said Keegan. "We know the very best of the best players are going to go to Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United.

"If you have the choice of going there and you don't as a player, you could be accused of having no ambition. Where are you going to win trophies, where are you going to get European football? The very top players do not come to Newcastle and Sunderland. That is the reality and it is no disrespect.

"We have probably done better than most. We've got top players here but usually they are in the twilight of their careers or we have taken a chance.

"They might have a little wart on them, like David Ginola, who came here because he was getting booed in France for giving a goal away that put them out of the 1994 World Cup. 'We might be able to get the odd one, but we are never going to get the top notches. We're just dreaming if we think we are."