HUGO Viana last night thanked Newcastle teammate Gary Speed for helping him to find his feet at the heart of the Magpies' midfield.

Viana has struggled to adapt to the physical demands of the Premiership since making a £9.5m move from Sporting Lisbon in June 2002.

He had made just 24 first-team starts before last week's UEFA Cup semi-final first leg against Marseille and had done little to justify the accolades that had been heaped upon him when he first moved to England nearly two years' ago.

But the 21-year-old impressed as United held their French opponents to a goalless draw on Tyneside, and then produced his best display in a Newcastle shirt to overshadow England international Frank Lampard as Chelsea were beaten three days' later.

With Jermaine Jenas, Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer sidelined because of injury, Viana couldn't have picked a better time to rediscover his form.

And, while the Portugal international might be anything but your archetypal battling midfielder, he has been quick to praise someone who undoubtedly is.

"Gary Speed is a great, great player," said Viana. "He is very strong, wins every header and spreads play in the middle. It helps me to play alongside him and I am learning all the time.

"I believe I can become as good a player as Gary. I know the manager wants me to be more competitive and I am trying hard to improve that side of my game. I work hard every day to try to get even stronger.

"The gaffer tells me that I'm making progress and that's good to hear. I've finally been able to play consecutive games in the centre of midfield and, if possible, I want to stay there.

"I felt more comfortable against Chelsea at the weekend. I improved on my performance in the UEFA Cup tie and I feel I can get better given a chance."

Viana is currently back in Portugal as the host nation put the finishing touches to their preparations for this summer's European Championships.

The former European Young Player of the Year is desperate to feature on his home stage and even became embroiled in a public spat with Sir Bobby Robson earlier this season when he felt his inactivity was hindering his prospects of making Luis Felipe Scolari's final squad. Viana's inclusion is still in the balance and tonight's friendly with Sweden could go a long way towards determining whether or not he makes the final cut.

The youngster is expected to be a substitute for Portugal's final warm-up game and is confident he can prove his worth.

"This week is a big chance for me to prove one last time that I deserve my place in the senior squad," said Viana. "Mr Scolari has left out some very important players but that has given me an opportunity to come in.

"If I can get a few minutes against Sweden then I will take that chance. It could be my last opportunity to make an impact before Euro 2004.

"I know it's not the only tournament in the world - I am young and I have time on my side. But it is also true that I want to play every game and be everywhere."

Viana's international prospects would also be aided by a strong finish to the domestic season and, with Champions League qualification and a UEFA Cup final appearance still on the agenda, he is prepared to put all thoughts of the summer out of his mind over the next month.

"First of all I want to do my best for the club," said Viana. "Now that I'm in the team, nothing else matters.

"If I suddenly get the chance to go to Euro 2004 then that will be great. But I could have another six matches for Newcastle this season and I'm not looking beyond those games for now."

l Jonathan Woodgate's Euro 2004 hopes are hanging in the balance after Newcastle yesterday confirmed that the centre-half has torn a muscle in his thigh.

Meanwhile, the FA have announced that no action will be taken against Chelsea defender Robert Huth over his alleged stamp on Alan Shearer in Sunday's defeat at Newcastle.

l The semi-final draw for Newcastle's pre-season tournament has pitted the Magpies with Glasgow Rangers.

The Scottish side will visit St James' Park on Saturday, July 31, with Feyenoord taking on Sporting Lisbon on the same day.

The winners will meet in the final 24 hours later, with the two losers playing each other in a third-place play-off

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