Obafemi Martins admits he had never heard of Kevin Keegan when he was first appointed Newcastle United manager.

The 23-year-old was not even born when Keegan kicked his last ball as a Newcastle player in 1984 and retired from the game. And Martins had not moved to Europe when the one-time Liverpool hero was manager at St James' Park first time round.

He confessed to The Sun: "I honestly didn't know anything about him. But I quickly learned things and realised what an important person he was.

"It was Geremi who told me all about Kevin Keegan. He rang while we were both out in Ghana - Geremi was with Cameroon - to say that Keegan had been this great player and what a good manager he was for Newcastle.

"When I got back we had to introduce ourselves to each other. I had an ankle injury but Keegan told me he wanted me back and fit to help the team. I told him I wanted that, too."

Obafemi is said to translate in his native tongue as 'The King Loves Me'. And Keegan certainly will if Martins can dig him out of this current hole.

Martins added: "People tell me Alan Shearer was a legend and that Keegan was a King.

"King Kevin, that's what they call him isn't it? The manager has loads of confidence and confidence in the players to get the team winning again. He is a strong man.

"We may not have got the results so far but I can already see in the short time I have worked with the manager how good he is with players.

"Kevin Keegan has been the best manager I've ever known for the way he communicates and how much he loves his players.

"He is always encouraging and looking for positives.

"Even after we have been beaten, he is back into training the next day giving everybody a lift and making sure we are not feeling sorry for ourselves."