Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan says the influence of Geremi around the club is crucial.

He told the Evening Chronicle: "Geremi has always got a smile on his face. He is fantastic around the club.

"The feeling I got when I came in was he had had a bit of a tough time here and when he came back, he might be OK around the squad because he is a good man, but he just might not be able to hold down a place.

"But from the day he came back from the African Nations Cup and trained with us, I thought, 'Wow!'.

"He smiles, the players respect him, he doesn't give the ball away foolishly.

"He is a clever player and I have been unbelievably impressed with him.

"He is another one of my leaders around the place. I have a few - you need a few at a football club - and he is certainly one of them."