Football: Keegan will play again

KEVIN KEEGAN could be set for a return to Newcastle United almost two years to the day after quitting the club. Keegan will play in Peter Beardsley's testimonial at St James' Park on 6 January.

Beardsley is currently playing for Keegan at Fulham in the Second Division and Alistair Wilson, the Newcastle director and testimonial chairman, insists that the former Magpies' manager will put in an appearance. "Kevin is fully committed to coming and playing in the game," he said.

"Kevin has always said that and, you know what he is like, he is a man of his word so we have no reason to doubt that will be the case."

Beardsley and Wilson are still waiting for confirmation that Liverpool will be available after Celtic withdrew from the proposed date.

"We hope the game goes ahead. Peter said he would like one of two teams to play - Celtic or Liverpool - and we are disappointed that Celtic couldn't make it," Wilson said. "So we have made a late approach to Liverpool, and I spoke to their chief executive Rick Parry and he is away to do his best for us, so watch this space.

"That is the date at the moment. It is only pencilled because if Liverpool cannot make it, it might well be that we will have to revert to the drawing board."

Beardsley left Newcastle last year in a pounds 500,000 move to Bolton and although he has spent only eight seasons in his two spells at United, Wilson insists the Tyneside club are more than willing to host the match.