KEVIN KEEGAN kept his thoughts out of public earshot yesterday as Newcastle prepared for their biggest match of the season. He attended the launch of a photographic exhibition at the club's Maiden Castle training headquarters before slipping quietly away and boarding the team coach bound for Nottingham.
Newcastle meet Nottingham Forest today a match that is vital to their FA Premiership chances with Manchester United three points and six goals to the good.
Keegan was outspoken on Monday when he launched a stinging attack on Alex Ferguson, saying he had gone down in his estimation. The Manchester United manager realised to reply. Yesterday was Keegan's turn to stay silent and his usual media beefing before a match was cancelled.
Newcastle could break an 87 year record today and improve their title prospects in the process. They want to make it four clean sheets in a row and they haven't done that since they won the championship in 1908-1909.
Newcastle defender Philippe Albert says. "If we do keep another clean sheet, we always fancy we are going to score. And if we do that and win tomorrow then who knows? The pressure would all be on Manchester United."
Keegan faces a selection headache with David Ginola ready to return after a one match suspension. The Frenchman looks almost certain to play leaving Keegan with a straight choice between record buy Faustino Asprilla and Keith Gillespie, who scored the winner against Leeds.
Gillespie said. "The manager has made no promises to me. I'll just have to wait until a couple of hours before kick off like everybody else.
England defender Steve Howey will miss the match because of a hamstring injury but could still be fit to face Tottenham in the season's finale on Sunday.
Meanwhile Nottingham Forest manager Frank Clark has refused to get dragged into the mind games that have dominated the last week of the Premiership season.
Clark is furious about claims that Forest will give Newcastle an easy time because of his strong connections with the North East. "I don't know who is suggesting that but anybody who does is a fool or worse. We are professionals. We are in the business of winning football matches and we want to win every game that we play.
We went to Old Trafford on Sunday and played in a particular way because we tried to win but it didn't work. We will be trying to win on Thursday and on Sunday. Personal sentiment does not come into it. It is hardly worth discussing to be honest."
Goalkeeper John Lukic comes out of the cold to replace the suspended Mark Beeney when Leeds player penultimate Premiership match against Tottenham at Elland Road tonight. Beeney is serving a one match ban after being sent off for handling outside the area in the match against Manchester United at Old Trafford a fortnight ago.
Carlton Palmer is back after his one match ban but manager Howard Wilkinson is again forced to field a patched up side. Gary Speed (ankle), Andy Gray (hip) and David Wetherall (calf) are all doubtful while Tomas Brotin, Tony Yeboah, Richard Job son, Tony Dorigo and John Pemberton have already been ruled out of the remaining two games, against Tottenham and Coventry on Sunday.
Gerry Francis makes a late decision on whether Darren Anderton will play in this match or be saved for Sunday's game at Newcastle.
