BOBBY ROBSON has saluted the role of running machine Gary Speed in Newcastle's sprint to the front of the Premiership pack.

Welsh international Speed has clocked up 335 Premiership appearances, more than anyone in the game.

And the former Leeds and Everton star has missed fewer than 30 top-flight games in ten years.

Further testimony to Speed's staying power has been revealed by a time and motion study conducted during Newcastle's 3-1 win at Arsenal last week.

It showed that the 32-year-old midfielder covered an amazing 12 kilometres, roughly a mile every ten minutes.

And manager Robson declared: "Gary has never played better, he's been awesome.

"We got some figures about the mileage he's doing in a match and it's quite incredible.

"There isn't a midfield player in the game at the moment who's running more than Gary Speed.

"We had a clock on him against Arsenal and he ran more than Patrick Vieira or any other player on the pitch.

"Gary did over 12 kilometres, and Kieron Dyer, alongside him, ran 11.

"Gary looks after himself and trains very well. He bends and stretches and keeps himself supple - and does his speed training! He's a top-class professional.''

The Magpies clung on to top spot after Saturday's dramatic 4-3 win at Leeds and go into today's home derby clash with Middlesbrough with title talk in the air.

Robson's side have come from behind to win each of their last three matches, and Speed himself said: "We never know when we're beaten. The spirit is unbelievable.

"To trail 3-1 and win 4-3 at Leeds was a great result. It's never-say-die with us. As soon as we scored the second goal, we thought we could do it.

"But the Boro game is so important and we can't relax. We haven't won anything or achieved anything yet.

"We've had two good results on the road, so let's not throw all the good work away.''

Newcastle were 4-1 winners at Middlesbrough in September as Steve McClaren began his managerial career with four straight defeats.

But Speed warned: "Boro have improved under Steve McClaren and this won't be an easy game.

"We can't afford to think we've done the hard bit by getting to the top. In a sense, the easy bit is getting to the top; the hard bit is staying there. The hard work starts now.''

Robson insists a genuine title challenge will only materialise once Newcastle splash out more money in the transfer market.

That could come sooner rather than later if chairman Freddy Shepherd is successful in his attempt to restore the club to private ownership.

Robson, who spent £16m in the summer on Laurent Robert and Craig Bellamy, may then be in line for a major transfer windfall.

But the Newcastle boss has warned that the big push might have to wait until next season.

"There'll be a genuine title challenge when we spend more money,'' said Robson. "At the start of the season, I thought we'd be challenging to get into the top eight, not the Champions' League.

"We knew the new players like Bellamy would improve the side and give us extra pace.

"But we didn't expect to be top. Where we'll end up, I don't know.

"If, at the beginning of next season, there's a new budget and some money to spend, we can strengthen the side.

"We'll also see what's coming through from the academy, because it's not all about buying players. I don't want to kill the youth programme here.

"If nothing is coming through, we will have to use the budget. If it's next year, we'll have to wait until then.

"And to be championship material, along with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Leeds, we'll have to use the budget wisely and not waste the money available.''

Robson believes his side's title credentials will face their stiffest examination when they visit Old Trafford in the New Year.

The champions have launched a revival by winning their last three matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding only one in the process.

"That's the game that will really measure us and test us,'' said Robson. "I still think Manchester United are the most dangerous team of the lot. Ryan Giggs and David Beckham were on the bench on Saturday when they beat Southampton 6-1, they simply didn't need them.''

Nolberto Solano, scorer of Newcastle's last-minute winner against Leeds, missed training on Christmas Eve with flu, while centre-back Nikos Dabizas is doubtful for the Boro game with a leg injury sustained at Elland Road.

Robert Lee is still nursing a groin problem and Christian Bassedas is ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Robson plans clear-the-air-talks with Andy Griffin, who continues to be linked with a move away from Tyneside.

The full-back, who hasn't figured in the first team for nearly three months, is currently struggling with a thigh injury.