Mort: Safety first for Newcastle then the spending can begin

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The Magpies have taken seven points from their last three games to remove many of the fears about falling into the Championship.

In January, billionaire owner Mike Ashley transferred millions from his own account into a transfer kitty, but after failing in a move for Jonathan Woodgate, Keegan decided against signing anyone.

Now, Newcastle are poised to become one of England's major players again in the transfer market, but Mort has urged caution with their Barclays Premier League status still to be confirmed.

When asked if substantial funds would be made available, Mort said: "Of course. We will sit down with Kevin and what we have said is that once we have made sure we are safe for next season we will go through the squad with him and see where the rebuilding is required.

"It is only fair to the supporters to make sure we are safe for next season before making any decisions and we are taking nothing for granted.

"Clearly we were delighted with Sunday's performance, but until we are safe it will be pointless making any sort of decisions."

Keegan has insisted he will have the final say in any signings, despite the appointments of Dennis Wise, Tony Jimenez and Jeff Vetere to oversee player recruitment.

Wise and Jimenez have already identified St Etienne's Bafetimbi Gomis and Seville's Brazilian Luis Fabiano.

Keegan however is more determined to hold onto Michael Owen, whose contract expires next summer, and will urge Mort to open talks about a new deal.

The Newcastle manager meanwhile has praised Joey Barton for overcoming his off-field problems to become a key man in his side's mini-revival.

"Credit to him, he has got some problems off the field which are well documented, but he has come in and trained properly and worked hard and is reaping the rewards now," said Keegan.

"I said to him after the Spurs game, 'That's the best I have seen you play'.

"He had some very good games for me at Man City but I don't think I have ever seen him as outstanding as that. He was winning tackles, bursting forward and picking out passes and it was his work which set up Oba Martins for the fourth goal."