Wise and Ashley key to Keegan's plans

Or can he? The war chest may be potentially larger than the one Sir John Hall made available when Keegan was last building a squad which ran Manchester United so close to the title.

But there are substantial obstacles to owner Mike Ashley's millions, and the players on Keegan's wish-list may not match those of Dennis Wise, executive director (football) and his sidekick Tony Jimenez, who have been scouring Europe and the world to gather intelligence on talented young players.

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Although unaware Wise would be the man put in charge of scouting and recruitment when he took over, Keegan backed Ashley and chairman Chris Mort's continental-style hierarchy which is aimed at transforming a debt-ridden underachieving club.

After three years out of the game, it made perfect sense.

But this revolutionary relationship with Wise is to be put to the test now with the manager appearing to have his own ideas on his requirements.

"I think the summer could be very exciting. I've got an idea who I'd like to bring here, but I might be dreaming," he said.

"The owner is the key, I think. No disrespect to Chris, but the owner is the one who's going to have to find the finances for whatever's going to happen.

"Once we've decided what we're going to do and what finances are there, we'll do our very best to get the players."

This comfortable win, their third in a row, had St James' Park in the same raptures which greeted Keegan's stunning return on a cold January night.

Keegan has been rewarded for the brave decision to play Michael Owen, Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins in the same front line.

All three scored top-quality goals, destroying a brittle Reading defence with ease to confirm their Barclays Premier League participation for next season.

Toothless Reading were no match for Newcastle but coach Kevin Dillon said: "If we beat Fulham this week then that's the end of Fulham and we'd like to get things done and dusted as quickly as possible."