JERMAINE Jenas is confident of overshadowing Patrick Vieira tonight - because the Newcastle skipper has been taking television tips from his Arsenal counterpart.

Ever since he emerged on the scene as a fresh-faced teenager, Jenas' languid style and action-packed approach has led to repeated comparisons with the Arsenal captain.

A maiden international cap earlier this season underlined just how far the former Nottingham Forest midfielder has come.

Graeme Souness also provided a ringing endorsement when he handed Jenas the captain's armband in the absence of Alan Shearer but, while the 21-year-old continues to develop into one of the most accomplished midfielders in the Premiership, he accepts that Vieira still represents a benchmark he is yet to reach.

The France international has formed the bedrock of Arsenal's midfield for the last seven seasons and, like most football fans in the country, Jenas likes nothing better than to see him in action.

"I'm a person that likes to watch football," he said. "There are certain players that don't like to watch the game in their own time, but I do and, in particular, I like to watch the top midfielders.

"I class Patrick Vieira as the best in the Premiership - if not the world. I've played against a few times now and we've had some good battles.

"He's a great player, and he's playing in a great team that compliments him. Arsene Wenger has got them working very well and, if I can emulate Patrick in any way, I'll be very happy.

"We're different players. I'll watch Patrick, see various parts of his game, and maybe adapt them into mine. But I'm Jermaine Jenas - I'm my own player."

Jenas' formative years at the City Ground saw him play in an attacking midfield position, and Sir Bobby Robson always preferred him in an advanced role.

But, since Graeme Souness took over at St James' Park in September, he has found himself asked to help shore up an increasingly fragile back four.

That has necessitated a change in approach and, with the absence of Nicky Butt heaping even more responsibility upon his young shoulders, Jenas admits he is still coming to terms with his defensive duties.

"My role has changed recently," he said. "I've been asked to hold a little bit more, but it's more of a thought thing than anything else.

"You've got to be constantly thinking defensively, and that's new for me because I like attacking and I like being on the ball.

"The manager knows that so he understands but, in the game on Boxing Day, I definitely noticed as a midfielder that we didn't win enough of the ball."

That deficiency enabled Blackburn to control the game, although Mark Hughes' side might still have finished with nothing had Newcastle's defence not handed Rovers two goals on a plate.

"We weathered quite a large storm, but conceded two very stupid and sloppy goals," said Jenas.

"It's very frustrating, but you can't dwell on those things otherwise you'd just keep going down and down. You've got to pick yourselves back up and make sure it never happens again."

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.