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"Okay, City are a good side which will be a real test but we're extremely hard to beat at home.
"Why should that change? We've two massive matches coming up at St James's - Bolton on Wednesday follow City - and we have to go for six points.
"Kevin will get a terrific reception from our fans and rightly so. But then the fans will forget him and back us to the hilt - rightly so again. Only Newcastle will matter come the kick-off.
"I'm desperate to get back into action. It wasn't nice missing out at West Ham - that still bugs me - and I'm ready to go.
"City came up here last season in the FA Cup and played very well with only 10 men.
"And they have improved their squad since then so we know it'll be tough.
"I know what I'm facing as well as I played alongside both Steve Howey and Sylvain Distin up here.
"Howey is a quality defender, an England international, and Distin is an athlete. I know them and they know me - so it will be interesting."