Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan is delighted with the impact made by Senegal fullback Habib Beye since his return from African Nations Cup duty.

Keegan has been hugely impressed by the former Marseille skipper, who was signed by predecessor Sam Allardyce last summer.

He said: "The guy is going out there looking like it's life and death almost. He has that attitude.

"Habib Beye has got tremendous athleticism. He is a good man around the dressing room, and I think you can tell the fans are really taking to him because they can see that commitment.

"There are a lot of things that get the crowd going here: one is exciting football, like the third goal against Reading on Saturday.

"The other is a good tackle, and Habib Beye can certainly do that."