We need more players, squad tells new Magpies boss Keegan

Keegan is now giving his urgent attention to strengthening his squad before the transfer window closes before he turns his mind to deciding who to keep from the 23 backroom staff he inherited from Sam Allardyce.

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Keen to strengthen: Kevin Keegan, pictured on the touchline during the match with Bolton, believes he needs to bring in new players

Allardyce had a huge number of specialists working with him and Keegan is expected to tell many of them that their services are no longer required.

Keegan told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "The players are saying 'we need players', and if the players are saying that, and I'm saying that, you can be assured we've got a small, but good quality, squad.

"There were only 16 players we could pick against Bolton. When the African guys come back, and the guys who are suspended come back, we'll have a strong squad if we can get one or two in.

"That's what you need in the Premier League."

Keegan has already been linked with left backs Chelsea's Wayne Bridge and Reading's Nicky Shorey as well as Portsmouth central defender Sol Campbell and Manchester City's Richard Dunne.

Asked if he had made a decision on his backroom staff, Keegan, who has brought in his old assistant Arthur Cox, added: "Not yet. My first priority now is to see if we can get players in."

Keegan will continue with Michael Owen as captain - keeper Shay Given had captained the side in the FA Cup last week, and Alan Smith before that under Allardyce.

""I think we'll leave it with him at the moment, and if he comes to me and says he enjoys it, then we can look at it longer term," said Keegan, who handed the armband to Owen as an olive branch after the striker had criticised his spell as England manager in his autobiography.