Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan is confident he has still got what it takes to inspire his shell-shocked players to get results in the Premier League.

The 57-year-old is in desperate need of a first victory since his return to St James' Park this weekend as Blackburn head for Tyneside determined to extend that wait to seven games.

Keegan's men have slipped to within six points of the relegation zone and are in need of a confidence boost after they were thrashed 5-1 at home to reigning champions Manchester United.

However, he believes he can reproduce the enthusiasm which characterised his first reign and that his current squad can get themselves out of trouble.

When asked if he is finding it tough to motivate the players Keegan insisted it is not a problem.

"I don't think so. They are up for it before games and they want to win football matches," he said.

"But obviously, I am having a bit of a job putting some confidence into them. That's the hardest part."

Keegan's comments came after one newspaper report suggested the manager is growing increasingly disillusioned at the way the club is being run.

In particular there is speculation he is at odds with owner Mike Ashley and chairman Chris Mort over the appointments of executive director (football) Dennis Wise and assistant boss Chris Hughton.

There has also been rumours that striker Mark Viduka is unhappy with his lack of first-team action in recent weeks and could leave during the summer.

Newcastle refused to comment publicly on the stories, but privately furiously dismissed them, just as they have poured cold water in recent weeks over claims Ashley is trying to offload the club he bought last year.

However, that will do little to kill off persistent rumours that all is not well.

Keegan will no doubt be grilled about the situation behind the scenes when he conducts his pre-match press conference, but his focus remains firmly on a crucial 90 minutes against Blackburn.

The fixture has proved pivotal in the reigns of two of Keegan's predecessors, Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder, who both departed within days of home defeats by Blackburn.

Viduka, Emre and Obafemi Martins could all be fit after injury, although keeper Shay Given is likely to miss out with the groin injury he aggravated during the first half of last weekend's game.

The Ireland international is expected to see a top specialist in Europe over the problem, which he initially feared could require an operation and rule him out for the rest of the season.

Steve Harper will deputise once again in his absence, although it is perhaps skipper Michael Owen who Keegan will hope proves to be the central figure.

The 28-year-old scored his first Newcastle goal against Rovers at Ewood Park in September 2005, and another contribution this time around would be equally welcome.

"Michael is very fit and very focused at the moment," Keegan told www.nufc.co.uk.

"We hope - and I am confident - that the two goals he has scored for me so far are just a start.

"But apart from the goals, what has pleased me the most is his work-rate.

"We have not really played well enough to provide him with the sort of ammunition he needs, but even though we have supplied him with very little, he has managed to turn decent balls into goals.

"If we can improve that service and pick him out a little bit earlier, he will score goals.

"But the challenge is also there for the rest of the lads to get goals from elsewhere."

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