Llambias Rules Out 'Stand In' Manager!

Derek Llambias: "Chris is doing a good job. He's full of confidence. Colin is in there helping us and Joe is still in the background.

"We're happy with that situation and that will take us through until the end of the season.

"Chris is a thorough football man and a highly respected coach.

"The players are full of respect for him and Colin Calderwood.

"Joe was on the phone for about an hour and a half to Chris on Saturday.

"Chris and Colin will talk to him on a regular basis. Unless they cut the phone lines around his house there is no way he won't communicate.

"He phoned me at 11pm on Saturday night because he needed some information.

"The next morning he was back on the phone to Chris for two hours.

"He then rang me again. I have had to tell him he is meant to be resting. It's the way Joe is.

"He is always on the phone, looking at stats and talking to the team.

"He has to learn that for two or three weeks he has to calm down and take it easy.

"He's passionate and he cares - he gets what Newcastle is all about.

"I hope he grows on everybody. He's an honest fella and he loves the club.

"The thing with the manager is we're backing him. He's back on board.

"He's got to make a good recovery and he's got to take it easy. He needs to chill out.

"I think we'll stay up. We've had conversations about where we are going points-wise. I have said 46 points.

"Everybody thinks I am potty, but I'm confident of it.

"Then we can crack on with where we are going in the future.

"A lot of it is going to be filling the holes we need to fill. We've been unfortunate with our injuries. But we're looking to build this squad."