Evergreen Speed puts thoughts

Speed, 35 in September, recently passed 500 career League appearances and is close to becoming the first player to clock up 400 in the Premiership.

The Wales skipper will make his 398th tonight when he lines up against Fulham, managed by former international teammate Chris Coleman.

Speed has 18 months to run on his Newcastle deal, but is already talking of extending his career on Tyneside.

The fitness fanatic, who revealed that former Leeds colleague Gordon Strachan's longevity in the game was an inspiration, said: "I can't say how long I can play on.

"I feel great, I'm fit and I look after myself. I can't wait to play every game and I feel better than I have ever done.

"It's a lot to do with the training and the lifestyle I lead. On top of that, our fitness coach at Newcastle (Paul Winsper) is fantastic. I feel I can go on for ever. I will know, and other people will know, when the time is right to stop, but it is not in my thoughts.

"I have 18 months to go on my contract and I'm not thinking about it. I signed a contract extention at the start of the season and I am happy to see out those 18 months, whatever happens.

"If I still feel then as I do now, I'll believe I can continue to do a job for even longer.

"I still feel young at heart and I am still relatively young to start thinking about finishing. 450 appearances? I don't really set targets. I'm not big on landmarks, but when I do finish I'll look back with pride on my record.''

Speed, a title-winner with Leeds in 1992, said: "Gordon Strachan has been my model. When he came to Leeds I was only 18 or 19 and he opened my eyes. He was supposed to be past it but I was amazed at the way he went about training and lived his life.

"I was fortunate to have been there at the same time. He used to eat seaweed - I don't do that, except at a Chinese restaurant with a bit of chicken.

"After training all the lads are in the gym. The enthusiasm of the players is fantastic. They show a great attitude and I don't think there is a fitter team in the league.

"There weren't the same facilities early in my career. When I started we didn't have a gym at Leeds; we certainly didn't have fitness coaches. Howard Wilkinson started to change things there a bit and the foreign players have brought things in.''

Speed was outstanding for Newcastle as they claimed a creditable goalless draw against champions Manchester United at Old Trafford eight days ago.

The Magpies have lost only once in their last 11 games in all competitions and are chasing fourth spot in the Premiership and a return to the Champions League.

Victory against Fulham at St. James' Park would take Sir Bobby Robson's side up two places to fifth, above the Cottagers and Liverpool.

Speed, who has played in all but one game this season, said: "Recent results have given us confidence. We took a bit of criticism, but we don't care what the rest of the country thinks.

"We have under-achieved this season, but I was always confident things would come right.

"We went through a spell when we didn't play very well, but we were always capable of giving ourselves a lift with the players here and the character in the squad.

"It's not hard. You are playing football for a great club. We have been in the top three or four for the last couple of years and teams raise their game against us - as they do against the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.

"We are a young side but the players learn quickly. They have all played in the Champions League and that experience is invaluable. Jermaine Jenas has been fantastic, he's probably the youngest in the team but age doesn't come into it with him.''

Speed added: "The Fulham game is a six-pointer. After every game we are looking at how Fulham, Birmingham, Charlton,

Liverpool and the others are doing. We want that top-four place - it's a big prize.''

Newcastle will be relieved that they won't be facing the threat of one-time loanee Louis Saha.

The Fulham striker's move to Manchester United was finally agreed last night, and Speed said: "I'm not surprised Man. United have gone for him. If you look at his game this season, he has fantastic aerial ability, he's quick and he's a good finisher.''

Robson is another admirer of the Frenchman, who played under Ruud Gullit on Tyneside five years ago.

"He's an outstanding player who came to my attention last year,'' said Robson. "He scored against us when he turned on the ball and shot from 30 yards. He is quick with a good left foot and he's very good in the air.

"We had him here but we didn't take him. Some you get, some you don't."

Robson, whose first spell in management was at Fulham over 35 years ago, added: "They are the surprise team of the season in terms of where they are.

"They are one of eight teams battling for fourth spot if you believe the top three places are tied up. We were two down there this season before we turned it around and won 3-2.

"Chris Coleman is young and inexperienced and to be handed a Premier position straight away is a big thing for the lad.

"But they knew his quality, they have given him the opportunity and he has grabbed it. He's done very well. It's not a bad start to a managerial career. I hope he lasts longer than me!''

With Saha on the move, Fulham have declared an interest in Chelsea's Eidur Gudjohnsen, who has also been eyed by Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

Newcastle have now turned their attention to Celtic's Henrik Larsson and, despite denials from agent Rob Jansen, the Magpies expect to open talks with the 32-year-old Swedish striker this week with a view to him signing a pre-contract.

Larsson is available on a Bosman transfer this summer and Barcelona are also interested.

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