Viduka can expect a 'hard time' on Riverside return, says Southgate

The 31-year-old Australian will head back down the A19 tomorrow for an early reunion with the club on which he turned his back earlier this summer.

Southgate, who played alongside Viduka before his elevation to the managerial hotseat, tried desperately to persuade his leading scorer from last season to sign a new contract, but his efforts were ultimately futile.

Now the pair will be in opposition for the first time and while the 36-year-old has immense respect for his one-time colleague, friendship will be put aside for the 90 minutes.

Southgate said: "He is an outstanding player. He was terrific for us, especially at the end of last season. He was a huge player for us.

"I have spoken to him since his move, as I did when he let me know he was going, and I was as manager very grateful for what he did for us.

"He was excellent as a player for me last year and as a character, I enjoyed working with him and I wish him all the best.

"But, as he knows full well, he will get nothing but a hard time on Sunday."

Viduka's 19 goals for the Teessiders last season were vital as they dragged themselves away from the relegation dogfight, and thousands of fans stayed behind after watching him score a double in the 3-1 final-day defeat of Fulham to urge him to accept a new deal.

However, he opted for a new challenge at St James' Park, and with fellow striker Ayegbeni Yakubu set to complete an £11.25million switch to Everton, Southgate is facing up to the task of establishing a new-look attack.

He is hoping new signing Mido shakes off an ankle problem to resume after scoring on his debut in the 2-1 win at Fulham last weekend, and is confident he, Jeremie Aliadiere and Tuncay Sanli can plug the gap.

Southgate said: "Yes, we have lost a couple of players, but we have added several good players to our team, some of whom have not even had the opportunity to play for us yet this season, and we are looking forward to that challenge.

"You have to be a club that can deal with difficulties, deal with setbacks, but there is not a player in the world who goes out and wins a game on his own.

"You have got to deal with people leaving. Everybody in every walk of life has been replaced at some time or other.

"It might take a little while, I have no idea, it might have an adverse effect on the team for a while.

"But we are determined to work through it. We know where we want to take this club, and we will work towards that.

"If people do not want to be part of that, it is pointless trying to drag them along with us.

"It's better to say 'we wish you good luck', and then we move."