Nicky Butt tells Newcastle United to stop mourning Keegan

Nicky Butt has warned his Newcastle United colleagues it is time to stop feeling sorry for themselves over Kevin Keegan's departure.

Former Champions League winner Butt, who tasted relegation while at Birmingham, insists that Newcastle are not too big to go down.

He said: "The departure of Kevin Keegan was a big blow for morale. It was hard for us to take because he was a popular manager.

"We thought the signs were good early season and then all of a sudden he was gone. We were in the doldrums for a few weeks before Joe Kinnear came in.

"It was very difficult in that period. Obviously we are paid to play football but it is very difficult to do that when someone you like and care about has left.

Also it does give the players an excuse - all players like excuses.

Now we haven't got any so we need to crack on."

Butt admits that tomorrow's home match with Manchester City and Saturday's derby trip to Sunderland are massive games.

He added: "We are definitely in a relegation battle. We are in the bottom three and you can't think you are too big to get out of it.

"But the one thing that is on our side is that we have quality players here and good players to come back from injury. This is a pivotal week for us."

LIKELY LINE-UPS

Newcastle: Given; Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, N'Zogbia; Geremi, Butt, Guthrie, Duff; Martins, Ameobi.

Manchester City: Hart; Richards, Ben Haim, Dunne, Garrido; Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Kompany, Elano; Jo, Robinho.