JERMAINE Jenas expects increased competition for a first-team place this season, and the Newcastle midfielder knows the same duo could limit both his domestic and international ambitions.

Jenas made 46 appearances for the Magpies last term, establishing himself as Sir Bobby Robson's preferred central midfield partner for Gary Speed.

The Wales international has since left for Bolton, but Kieron Dyer has returned to fitness and the arrival of Nicky Butt and James Milner has added further spice to Newcastle's midfield mix.

Jenas returned from a thigh injury in Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat at Celtic but, while he is expected to be fit for next weekend's Premiership opener at Middlesbrough, there is no guarantee that he will be amongst Robson's starting XI.

The 21-year-old admits the battle for midfield places will be fierce in forthcoming months, but insists he will not be happy with a supporting role.

"I don't want to be stuck on the bench all season," said Jenas, who joined the Magpies in a £5m move from Nottingham Forest in February 2002. "I'll be doing the best I possibly can to force my way into the first team.

"Nicky Butt's an established England international and Kieron Dyer is another of those players knocking on the first-team door.

"They're excellent midfield players but I'm looking forward to the challenge this season."

Jenas was in with a shout of making Sven-Goran Eriksson's Euro 2004 squad before a torn thigh muscle called a halt to his season in mid-April.

The rangy midfielder has picked up six England caps since joining United and saw his chances of further recognition improve earlier this week when Paul Scholes announced his retirement from the international game.

But, just as Butt and Dyer threaten to keep him out of the Newcastle side, so the same duo stand in front of him in the England pecking order.

Jenas' Newcastle teammates both went to Portugal this summer, but the youngster is ready to compete with them on the international stage.

"Paul Scholes is an outstanding player and, as an Englishman, I'm sad to see him go," said Jenas. "He'll be a big miss for us as one of the most experienced members of Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad.

"But it's no secret that players like myself, Kieron Dyer and Nicky Butt will be looking to take his place and prove to the manager that we deserve a run of games.

"I'm sure players like Scott Parker and Joe Cole are looking at the situation in the same way. There's a place opening up for somebody and the competition will be quite intense.

"Newcastle have a number of talented English midfielders at the club now and there will be competition for club and country."

Like the rest of the United team, Jenas will train alone this weekend in an attempt to prevent the spread of the conjuctivitis virus that has swept through the club.

Shay Given, Andy O'Brien, Lee Bowyer and Tony Caig have all been affected, and Newcastle are having to take every precaution to make sure things are not made any worse.

"All the players are being very careful," admitted Jenas. "It's a nasty infection and nobody wants to be sidelined at this stage of the summer.

"The club's trying to keep on top of it but we lost four key players last week and we can't afford to lose any more."

Meanwhile, Le Havre have lodged an official complaint with the French Football Federation and FIFA in an attempt to prevent Charles N'Zogbia joining Newcastle.

The 18-year-old signed a contract with the Magpies on Monday, but Le Havre president Jean-Pierre Louvel will do all he can to prevent the deal going through.

"Our position is very clear and we are extremely determined. Charles N'Zogbia must come back to the club," said Louvel.

"We will not agree to release him and we believe that the FFF will support us in a bid to protect the French training system.

"The Sports Minister, Jean-Francois Lamour, has also been alerted."