JERMAINE JENAS is on the fast-track to stardom with Newcastle United and insists: "I wouldn't have it any other way.''

The 20-year-old midfielder, tipped as a future England captain by teammate Kieron Dyer, has enjoyed a rapid rise in under 18 months on Tyneside.

Shortly before his 19th birthday, Jenas joined the Magpies after Sir Bobby Robson splashed out £5m to seal a deal with Nottingham Forest.

Within a year of his arrival, Jenas had represented England at Under-21 level, played in the Champions League - and literally capped it all by winning senior international recognition.

Jenas, named PFA Young Player of the Year, admitted: ''I am surprised I have progressed so quickly to a certain extent - but I wouldn't have it any other way.

''I want things to move fast because football is not a long career. The faster, the better - as long as things are controlled and monitored in the right way.

''From the minute I made my debut at Forest, things have moved rapidly. But I wanted to play in the Premiership as soon as possible, and I wanted to play in the Champions League as soon as possible.

''Now I've had a call-up from England. There are a lot of good midfielders at the moment, but I'd like to see myself up there with a chance for the tournaments ahead.''

While Jenas faces fierce competition for a place in an England midfield boasting the likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes, the arrival of Lee Bowyer at Newcastle has intensified the scramble at St. James' Park.

Robson has a rich array of midfield talent in Jenas, Bowyer, Dyer, Gary Speed, Nolberto Solano, Laurent Robert and Hugo Viana.

Jenas is mature enough to know he can't be guaranteed automatic selection. ''I'm not getting carried away,'' he said. ''I have to learn a lot of things. There are a lot of international players who have been there and done it.

"I'm only young. There is loads left in me and a lot more improvement to come.

"I'm still learning from the players at Newcastle and, when it comes to England, I can pick up things which will develop me even more.

"That's what I need. It's all part of a learning curve. I am going to have ups and downs, but that's all part of the process.''

* Newcastle have rebuffed an approach from Cardiff City to take Carl Cort on a season-long loan.

The Bluebirds' former Middlesbrough boss Lennie Lawrence wanted the striker to bolster his squad for the challenge of life in Division One.

But Newcastle are only interested in parting with Cort - signed by Sir Bobby Robson from Wimbledon for £7m three years ago - if they can recoup or cover a substantial chunk of their outlay.

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