Time for Ashley to start splashing the cash at Newcastle

Michael Owen’s contract demands are expected to be ratified rather than rejected and Ashley may finally be prepared to sanction the purchase of much-needed reinforcements to build on the four points gained at Old Trafford and against a stubborn Bolton, who are the model of the sides Newcastle will face at St James’ Park this season.

Rendezvous: Ashley (left) and Keegan will meet to discuss further signings

No one at Newcastle can sit comfortably with Saturday’s 47,711 crowd, their lowest first day attendance since the completion of its redevelopment in 2000, particularly as the opening fixture always coincides with Geordie optimism. No major domestic trophy since the mid-Fifties, but a belief every August that this will be their year.

Keegan, who takes his side to Coventry on Tuesday, knows it will take a few more goals from Owen, more flair than attrition at home, and a couple of new faces to put the disillusioned thousands back in their seats.

All the main players attending this week’s meeting, which the club are keen to emphasise is not a showdown, will be satisfied with the impact made so far by the new additions. Jonas Gutierrez and Fabricio Coloccini are the marketing department’s and Ashley’s dream, and they can play a bit too, as can Danny Guthrie, with the right guidance.

The question remains who really signed the Argentina pair, although it has all the hallmarks of a Dennis Wise-led operation, with Keegan accepting his judgments on players he has hardly seen.

But he did recognise their qualities immediately. ‘Jonas is unbelievable. I’ve never known a player settle so quickly,’ said Keegan of a player who dons a Spiderman mask as part of his goal celebrations.

‘That’s how he came into the club. Day one, he put his music on, spoke in English to everybody and walked out on the training ground.

‘We did a bleep test on him and I’ve never seen anyone run like that. The next day we did a bit of football and I turned round to Terry Mac and said “the fans are going to love him here”. That was the view of all my staff: wow.

‘He’s got that dual strength of ability and putting work rate on the end of it. It’s a wonderful combination. That’s what the fans love about him already, tackling, working hard, tracking back.

‘These two guys I’ve fetched in have played in Europe and that was their first move, the hardest one for them. They are absolutely top notch, there’s absolutely no doubt about that. They’re not gambles. They can play at the highest level and they have done.’

Immediate impact: new Newcastle signing Jonas Gutierrez

Gutierrez is the perfect winger for the Newcastle fans and is going to be extremely popular. Coloccini oozes class and a presence which has been absent since Jonathan Woodgate left.

That can only help Steven Taylor develop his undoubted potential, while his limited but invaluable top flight experience will help the £10 million defender cope with the testing months ahead, which have broken dozens of Newcastle centre-backs in the past.

Keeper Shay Given has played behind most of them and seen players come and go over his 10 trophyless years as a Newcastle player.

The Republic of Ireland No 1 has been impressed with their commitment to the Newcastle cause so far and knows that will have made a positive impression on the Geordie faithful too.

Given said: ‘They have both settled in well and they are both tough in the tackle. They are not flimsy in any way. They like to get stuck in and that is what the Premier League is about sometimes.

‘Jonas’ English is good. Fabricio’s is not great but my Spanish is not too bad and I can speak a little.’

But Keegan’s most important signing of the summer might yet to have happen with Owen sitting to discuss a new contract with the Magpies.

Never afraid to speak his mind, Given hopes Owen’s contract issue will be resolved soon. He said simply: ‘He has a year and we’re not worried. We’d like it sorted but it’s his contract and nothing to do with me.’

But he was more forthright on the influence the England striker has on those around him as the contract negotiations reach a critical stage.

Given added: ‘He is a world renowned centre forward and goal scorer. When he leads out the team, it sends a message to other teams. It tells them that we have some real quality in our side.

‘He is not a ranter and raver in the dressing room, everyone knows that, but he doesn’t have to be. His presence is enough, and the aura that he carries with him.

‘He has scored a lot past me over the years so I know what it is like to play against him. If you are playing against Michael Owen, you know you are playing one of the best in the world. And if he does nothing else in the game, but still scores, that is enough.’

TV: Sky Sports 2 from 7.30pm (kick-off 7.45).