ROBERT LEE has told Newcastle United fans to prepare for a throwback to the Keegan years when Laurent Robert makes his debut today against Athletic Bilbao at St. James' Park.

On the eve of his testimonial clash with the Spaniards, midfielder Lee predicted that £10m French capture Robert will evoke memories of the days when fellow countryman David Ginola produced his spellbinding displays for the Magpies.

Like Ginola, 26-year-old Robert is regarded as being at his most potent on the left wing, and Lee said: "From what I've seen already, Laurent has certainly got something.

"He has the charisma, sparkle and style of Ginola and he's going to be a big talent. He reminds me of David when he first came in 1995 and he can be just as big a success. He has the flicks and skills and a lovely left foot.

"David was outstanding for the first six months of his time here and if Laurent can produce that level of performance, I don't think the fans will be disappointed."

Lee rates Ginola as one of the top five players he has lined up with in nearly ten years on Tyneside.

Despite the arrival of Robert, another recruit from Paris St. Germain, Lee doubts whether United will ever recapture the magic of the Kevin Keegan era.

But he remains convinced that Bobby Robson's side are only two signings short of being top-six Premiership material.

Lee, now 35, was in the Keegan side pipped to the title by Manchester United five years ago, and also played in two successive FA Cup final defeats under Kenny Dalglish and Ruud Gullit.

"I'll be surprised if we see anything like the Keegan era again," confessed Lee, who was signed by Keegan from Charlton Athletic for £700,000 in September 1992.

"I would not have swapped those Keegan years for anything - not even a bagful of medals. I'd rather have played in those sides than win the championship with a boring team.

"In every game we played we went for goals and the fans loved it. We were the team of the Nineties and we deserved to win something. We were everybody's second team. It was great drama and marvellous entertainment.

"We are not the same sort of team as we were when Kevin was here. Kevin had a lot of money to spend and brought in some fantastic attacking players. We'd go out to score more goals than we let in.

"It's slightly different now. The big-spending days had to come to an end and the club is a lot more careful.

"But we are still a top club and if we get another two players we will be a top-six side again. A club this size should be in Europe every season and battling for honours, but I can see some light at the end of the tunnel.

"There is a bit of a buzz about the place again and it's still my ambition to win some silverware before I retire."

Lee joked that he wouldn't be sending a copy of his benefit brochure to former boss Gullit, who threatened to wreck the England schemer's career before being sacked two years ago.

But Lee was deadly serious in standing up for players' rights to testimonials following criticism of Ryan Giggs' recent £1m payday at Manchester United.

"I'm all for testimonials because I don't think there will be many in the future," said Lee.

"It doesn't matter if you're on £100,000 at Manchester United or £100 at Rochdale. It's a chance for fans to say a thank you to players for service to their clubs.

"People talk about the Giggs testimonial, but he would have earned a lot more money if he had left Old Trafford. The fact that 67,000 turned up for his game is testimony to the great job he has done for them.

"It's down to the fans. If they think a player is not deserving of a testimonial, they won't turn up.

"But testimonials are going to become rarer because players have so much power now since the Bosman ruling that they can allow their contracts to run out and move on. You are not going to see the same loyalty in the future."

Lee, who has a year left on his contract, is hoping to do enough in that time to persuade manager Robson he is worthy of a new deal.

But he dismissed suggestions that he was already being lined up for a coaching job at St. James' when his playing career ends.

Meanwhile, striker Carl Cort is set to give United a huge boost by making a surprise return from injury today in his side's last pre-season run-out.

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