Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard aims to banish the memory of his horrific knee injury when he makes an emotional return to St James' Park.Bullard was sidelined for 18 months following the injury which threatened to curtail his career.

But the Cottagers star has battled his way back to full fitness and is now hoping to help repay the club's faith by helping to steer Roy Hodgson's men to Premier League safety.

By coincidence, struggling Fulham's last away win in the top flight - a 2-1 victory on Tyneside in September 2006 - was achieved on the day Bullard suffered his injury.

Saturday's trip is the first of five away games out of the eight that remain this season.

Fulham's travel sickness must improve if they are to survive relegation but with Kevin Keegan looking for his first win since returning to Newcastle as manager, the outcome of Saturday's game is vital to both teams.

But for Bullard it is also a chance to exorcise the ghosts of that horrific moment when his career was almost ended.

"It has been in the back of my mind and it was one of the first games I looked for at the beginning of the season," said Bullard.

"I love playing at St James' Park, it just so happens to be the place where I did my knee.

"I am looking forward to going back there. I'll touch the place where I got injured and hope it never happens again.

"It has been a lucky ground for us. For us as players and as a team a win there could put us in a very good position. So hopefully we can go there and get one."

Fulham will approach the match on the back of an impressive win over Everton - a victory that gave the players a real lift in confidence according to the midfielder.

"The win at the weekend boosted all the boys' confidence and in training it's better than it's ever been - it's amazing what a win does to you, it's just a great feeling.

"Everton are a great team and they are pushing for that fourth spot but the crowd at our ground was the best it ever has been. It was a great atmosphere and to come away beating them 1-0 was great for our confidence.

"We've got a team of really good lads. The last 10 games we said was the start of our season and we're off to a good start having drawn on and won one."

Meanwhile manager Hodgson insists no club in the Premier League has a divine right to top-flight status but says Keegan has all the experience to get Newcastle out of trouble.

But he is equally adamant that it is not a surprise to see a big club like United flirting with danger zone.

Hodgson said: "The standard and the quality of the teams is so good that if you are unlucky enough to get yourself on a bad run you can spiral downwards.

"I understand the Newcastle people and the fans who support the club will say they are surprised and that they shouldn't be where they are but unfortunately I do not subscribe to that type of thing.

"No-one has got a right to be anywhere other than the position they can play their way into. I am sure my thoughts on the subject will correspond to those of Keegan and his staff. There is such expectation there. But there is expectation everywhere these days.

"Kevin certainly knows the club well and knows all about expectation and pressure. He's gone in with his eyes open. Let's see how he gets on in the last part of the season. I believe he will do well."

More Football News from TEAMtalk