NEWCASTLE United midfielder Jermaine Jenas insists a testing tussle with Arsenal's Patrick Vieira has readied him for the likelihood of an England debut against Australia tomorrow night.

Jenas, 20 a week tonight when Newcastle visit Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, was called up to England's senior squad for the first time by coach Sven-Goran Eriksson for the clash with the Socceroos at Upton Park.

And Under-21 star Jenas has been quick to thank Magpies manager Sir Bobby Robson, who invested £5m in him when he arrived from Nottingham Forest a year ago, for helping to fast-track his international career.

Jenas continued on his learning curve in the duel with Vieira as Newcastle drew 1-1 with the Premiership leaders at St. James' Park on Sunday.

He admitted: "Every experience of playing against Patrick Vieira is a good experience and there's no doubt I learn things from him every time we meet.

"Whenever I was in possession, he made me work and it was a great contest again - one of the best a midfielder can have in the Premiership.

"I have watched Patrick since I was a kid. I try to take some bits of his game and add them to my own.

"He's one of the best midfielders in the world, so who better to learn from?

"But I am not saying I will try to become Patrick Vieira; I'm trying to be my own man.''

Jenas was captain of England Under-19s when Robson, who shares the same birthday and will be 70 a week today, lured him to Tyneside.

And Jenas maintains that it is Newcastle's re-emergence as a force at home and abroad that has brought him to Eriksson's attention.

"I'm just delighted with my call-up,'' said Jenas.

"I just have to take it in my stride and enjoy it while I can.

"Furthering my international career was one of the main reasons I signed for a club of Newcastle's size and stature.

"I wanted to go on and achieve big things and I can do that here. I'm involved in the Premiership title race, playing alongside some great players and you do get noticed at a club like Newcastle.

"It's no coincidence that I've gone from being a youth international to an Under-21 international and on to the senior squad in less than a year.

"It was my agent who told me there was a slight chance I'd get a call-up to the senior squad, and he was right.

"My mum rang me screaming and shouting when she heard the news and I couldn't really believe it when the FA confirmed everything.

"There's no better feeling than playing for your country, especially when you're young and it's all still new."

Jenas has been tipped as a future England captain by Newcastle colleague Kieron Dyer, who is also in Eriksson's squad.

The pair are unbeaten at club level in the 12 games they have played together in central midfield. Now they are hoping to carry that run into the international arena.

Third-placed Newcastle had to come from behind to ensure they remain eight points behind title-holders Arsenal.

Thierry Henry gave the Gunners a half-time lead, but Laurent Robert levelled before being controversially sent off for a second bookable offence when he prevented Dennis Bergkamp from taking a free-kick.

Jenas said: "We're in the same position as we were before the weekend in terms of hoping Arsenal drop points so we can catch them.

"To get a draw against a side of that quality is a great result and we'll just try to keep chipping away at their lead.

"It was a good game, but if we'd had 11 players for 90 minutes we might have got more out of it.

"The lads feel Laurent's sending-off was a bit harsh and our view is that he's gone to walk away only to have the ball kicked at him. I thought he was unlucky."

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