Robson backs JJ to rival Dyer's impact

Shepherd has kept a tight rein on Robson's spending since sanctioning the £16m double swoop for Laurent Robert and Craig Bellamy last summer.

But manager Robson persuaded the United chief to relax the purse strings and make England Under-19 skipper Jenas the most expensive teenager in the country.

Jenas, who had also been a target for Leeds and Manchester United, yesterday tied up his move to Tyneside when he passed a medical before facing the media at St. James' Park.

Robson and Jenas share a birthday a week on Monday when the Newcastle boss turns 69 and the midfield prodigy is 19.

And Robson admitted he may not be around to witness Jenas reach his full potential.

"I've bought this kid for the next manager as well - I might not see the best of the kid,'' said Robson.

"Of course, I had to pressure the chairman - he doesn't dish out loads of money easily, and rightly so.

"We spent good money last summer in bringing two very quick and very special players to the club, and Jermaine is in the same category.

"He's going to be with the likes of Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy and Carl Cort. I think he's a real steal - one for today and the future.

"He's different to Kieron, but they can certainly play together and will play together.

"This club bought very well before my time here when they paid Ipswich £6m for Dyer, when a lot of people didn't know whether he was worth that sort of money.

"But it proved a shrewd buy and it was on the basis of the Dyer deal that I persuaded the chairman to go for Jermaine - hook, line and sinker.''

England schemer Dyer, now rated at £20m, has had something of a chequered career at Newcastle, with injuries and a liking for the high life taking a toll.

But Robson is convinced he can keep Jenas on the straight and narrow. "One art of management is man-management,'' said Robson. "I have sons older than Jermaine. The boy is my responsibility and whatever I can do to make him hit the jackpot, I will do.

"But we know his character is top class.

"All we have to do is get him to play and cherish the game, and he'll be an outstanding player.

"He's a long-term investment, but we haven't bought him to play in the reserves. He'll go straight into the first-team squad.

"Jermaine is not the finished article, but I have a wonderful feeling about him and we know how to make him a better player.

"We've seen how Bellamy has mushroomed from a good player to an outstanding one.''

Nottingham-born Jenas, who will join in his first training session with the senior squad today, said: "It's exciting and a dream to come to a club as big as Newcastle.

"I want to win things and become a better player, and I've chosen the right manager to make me a better player.

"I came here knowing Bobby was a great manager.

"They're second in the table at the moment and hopefully I'll be able to be part of Newcastle winning the championship and winning medals.

"They're very passionate about their football here. The whole city is on a big high and it's a great place to be.''

Asked if he felt the fee was a millstone around his neck, Jenas replied: "It's nothing to do with me,'' before Robson jumped in to say: "It's on my shoulders - he just plays.''

Shepherd, who missed the unveiling of Jenas because of flu, said in a statement: "We are delighted to have secured the services of Jermaine.

"In doing so, I would like to place on record my thanks to Nottingham Forest's Nigel Doughty who, while sitting on Concorde and about to fly to New York, made a telephone handshake with me to confirm the deal and subsequently kept his word despite coming under pressure from another club.''

Meanwhile, Derby County boss John Gregory, having signed defender Warren Barton from Newcastle for £250,000 on Friday, now wants to reunite him with Magpies midfielder Robert Lee.

Gregory is willing to make a down payment of £250,000 for Lee with the same to follow if the Rams avoid relegation.

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