Newcastle United defender Peter Ramage may have little chance to convince manager Kevin Keegan he deserves a new contract.

Ramage has only just returned from knee injury and Keegan admitted: "Peter Ramage is back fit again, but it's a difficult time for players coming back from long-term injuries, because there's no reserve games.

"We have only the Northumberland Cup final with Blyth Spartans at St James' Park next Wednesday night."