Boss Souness takes a shine to quality Carr

The Republic of Ireland international is sure to get a rough ride tomorrow as he makes his first outing on the ground since last summer's £2m move to St James' Park.

Carr's Newcastle career suffered a stuttering start as he missed almost three months of the season with a serious knee problem.

But, since returning to action in early February, the 28-year-old has been integral to a defensive improvement that has taken the Magpies to the FA Cup semi-final and the last eight of the UEFA Cup.

"He's as good as there is around in that position," said Souness, who will be looking for his first Premiership away win in almost five months tomorrow.

"He's been super since I've been at this club. He had the best part of three months out and we missed him.

"It was no surprise that our results dipped when he wasn't in the team along with my other main men."

Carr made more than 250 appearances for Spurs after signing his first professional forms with the club in 1993.

The Irishman has faced his former club twice this season - Newcastle lost a Premiership home game in August before gaining FA Cup revenge at Gallowgate last month - and was jeered by the visiting fans on each occasion.

But, with Newcastle desperate to maintain the momentum generated by Thursday night's European win over Sporting Lisbon, the defender is confident of overcoming whatever abuse is hurled his way tomorrow.

"I'm looking forward to going back there," said Carr. "I have a lot of happy memories from my time with Spurs and this was a game I looked for when I moved up here.

"But that's all forgotten now, as the Spurs fans have proved. I'm focused on doing well for Newcastle now, and if I get booed then it won't bother me. At least the Newcastle fans in the ground will be cheering me on."

Last month's FA Cup success was tinged with controversy as Spurs felt they were denied a clear penalty when Lee Bowyer appeared to handle in the box.

The Londoners will be out for revenge on their own turf and, with a month of the season still to go, Martin Jol's side could still grab a European place.

Last weekend's defeat to Aston Villa all but ruled Newcastle out of that equation, but Carr remains determined to finish the domestic season in style.

"We were unlucky against Spurs in the league, but they'll feel they were unlucky when we beat them in the FA Cup because we got a bit of luck that day," he admitted.

"It all evens itself out though, so it'll be interesting to see how things work out down there.

"Prior to the game against Aston Villa last week we had just lost one in 11, but we got that game out of our systems by beating Sporting Lisbon.

"We'd have taken that before the game, and now we're back on track. Hopefully we can keep it going at White Hart Lane."

Thursday's win came at a price, with Shay Given injuring his hip and Kieron Dyer suffering another problem with his hamstring.

Given is almost certainly out of tomorrow's game - Steve Harper will continue in his place - while Dyer is one of three players suspended following last weekend's dramatic defeat to Aston Villa.

Steven Taylor will join him on the sidelines - his place in the back four will go to Jean-Alain Boumsong - while Lee Bowyer will drop out of a midfield that will include either James Milner or Nicky Butt.

Next week's return leg in Lisbon is already looming large and, while Souness insists he will not be taking the Premiership lightly, it is easy to see where his priorities lie.

"The next two weeks will decide everything," he said. "And you can't look beyond your next game.

"But we're not going to win the Premiership. At the same time, though, you look to field your strongest team.

"People are paying hard-earned cash to watch you play so you've got to pick your strongest team.

"We'll have a look at the situation. I'm paid to come up with the right team for the right occasion and that's what I'll be trying to do."

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.