Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan

Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan has told his players to expect a special reception at St James' Park for their home game with Reading on Saturday.

"For the first time since I've been here they'll go out to an atmosphere," he said.

"They'll get an idea of how fantastic the atmosphere can be at St James'.

"The players have played around the world but there's no better place than St James' when you have earned the right for them to get behind you."

Back-to-back wins against Fulham and Tottenham have pulled Newcastle clear of the struggling pack and Keegan has highlighted the spirit as the main catalyst for the turn around.

"The players played for the team last week and that's why we got such a good performance," he said.

"What we have got here now is that the players are together and I don't know if we've ever had that.

"The lads have stuck together, the staff have stuck together and the fans have stuck by us."