Newcastle Manager Kevin Keegan is confident he has still got what it takes to inspire his shell-shocked players to get results in the Premier League. The 57-year-old is in desperate need of a first victory since his return to St James' Park this weekend as Blackburn head for Tyneside determined to extend that wait to seven games.

Keegan's men have slipped to within six points of the relegation zone and are in need of a confidence boost after they were thrashed 5-1 at home to reigning champions Manchester United. However, he believes he can reproduce the enthusiasm which characterised his first reign and his squad can get themselves out of trouble.

When asked if he was finding it tough to motivate the players Keegan insisted it was not a problem. "I don't think so. They are up for it before games and they want to win football matches," he said. "But obviously, I am having a bit of a job putting some confidence into them. That's the hardest part."

Keegan's comments came after one newspaper report suggested the manager was growing increasingly disillusioned at the way the club was being run. In particular, there is speculation he is at odds with owner Mike Ashley and chairman Chris Mort over the appointments of executive director (football) Dennis Wise and assistant boss Chris Hughton.

There have also been rumours striker Mark Viduka is unhappy with his lack of first-team action in recent weeks and could leave during the summer. Newcastle refused to comment publicly on the stories, but privately furiously dismissed them, just as they have poured cold water in recent weeks over claims Ashley was trying to offload the club. However, that will do little to kill off persistent rumours that all is not well.

Keegan will no doubt be grilled about the situation behind the scenes when he conducts his pre-match press conference, but his focus remains firmly on a crucial 90 minutes against Blackburn. The fixture has proved pivotal in the reigns of two of Keegan's predecessors, Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder, who both departed within days of home defeats by Blackburn.

Viduka, Emre and Obafemi Martins could all be fit after injury, although goalkeeper Shay Given is likely to miss out with the groin injury he aggravated during the first half of last weekend's game. Given is expected to see a top specialist in Europe over the problem, which he initially feared could require an operation and rule him out for the rest of the season.

Steve Harper will deputise once again in his absence, although it is perhaps skipper Michael Owen who Keegan will hope proves to be the central figure. "Michael is very fit and very focused at the moment," Keegan said. "We hope - and I am confident - the two goals he has scored for me so far are just a start."