Newcastle United players are convinced manager Kevin Keegan is set to return.

Spirits in the St James' Park dressing room soared on Thursday when Keegan, who walked out last month, turned up at a charity golf event hosted by Magpies keeper Steve Harper.

Keegan spoke privately to several senior players intimating that moves are afoot on two fronts to secure his return to the ground where he is worshipped as a folk hero.

A club insider told the Sunday Mirror: "Kevin spent a lot of the golf day on his phone clearly talking to people interested in bringing him back to Newcastle. When asked in public about the chances of a return he just winked and said, 'Watch this space'.

"But privately he told some senior players things were happening that could secure his return."