Bright future predicted as JJ signs five-year deal

The 20-year-old midfielder, exactly 50 years Robson's junior, yesterday signed a new five-year deal tying him to St. James' Park until the summer of 2008.

Robson revealed that a clause in the agreement Jenas penned when he arrived from Nottingham Forest in a £5m deal in February 2002, promised a review of his terms after he had completed 40 first-team games.

His precocious performances clinched the new deal, and former England captain Shearer believes Jenas is equipped to secure himself a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for next summer's European Championships in Portugal.

Shearer said: "I'm pleased for JJ. He's a big talent and he can be whatever he wants to be. The future looks very good for him - he has the world at his feet.

"If he wants to be an England regular for years, he can be because he has that much talent. I think he has a big chance for 2004. If he doesn't make it, then he has to make sure he's in the World Cup squad for 2006.''

Ex-England boss Robson said: "I'm delighted Jermaine has agreed a new deal, which is due reward for the impact he has already made.

"We sincerely believe he can go on to achieve great things in the game, both here and for England.''

Jenas' form suffered for a time this season and Robson added: "I think he wondered what I was going to do to him after the matches at Everton and Arsenal when two penalties were awarded against him, which cost us points.

"He had a little spell where he didn't do as well as he should have done, but he's learned.

"I could have left him out but I decided to keep him in. To leave him out might have made him dip a bit.

"He's stronger than he was when he first came here. He's not Roy Keane yet, he's not the finished article. He hasn't reached his optimum, but he's well on the way.

"It was written into his contract when he came that we would look at a new one after he had played 40 games.

"The big picture for him is fantastic and he deserves this new deal. He'll be 21 on February 18 and he should now put his back into it and make progress.''

Jenas, who won his first full England cap this February in the friendly against Australia, yesterday admitted: "Joining Newcastle has proved a terrific career move for me. This is a fantastic club and a marvellous place to play.

"I hope that over the next five years we can build on our success and I'm looking forward to being involved with a strong, successful team.''

Chairman Freddy Shepherd added: "Jermaine has proved to be an outstanding acquisition for us and, in signing this new contract, has demonstrated his commitment to the long-term success of Newcastle United.''

Robson today welcomes the return of Shearer, centre-back Jonathan Woodgate and midfielder Kieron Dyer for the visit of Kevin Keegan's Manchester City.

Dyer has been ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury, while Woodgate has been sidelined twice as long following surgery for a double hernia.

Flu-hit Shearer missed the 5-0 drubbing at Chelsea nearly a fortnight ago, but yesterday reported he was "fully recovered''.

Midfielder Hugo Viana has now fallen victim to a virus, and with Nolberto Solano unavailable after international duty with Peru, Robson has called up 21-year-old Bradley Orr to his squad for the first time as cover.

"It's a sweetner for him,'' said Robson, who insists that Gary Speed is "up for selection'' despite his physically and emotionally draining exertions with Wales in their Euro 2004 play-off defeat by Russia.

Robson last night said: "I spoke to him in my office this morning before training and he said he was fine. I'm sure he'll put his disappointment with Wales behind him and think about his commitment to the club.''

Robson also revealed that he had given striker Lomana LuaLua a ticking-off over comments on his personal website complaining about his omission from the team.

"I've told LuaLua what I thought about it and I've dealt with it,'' said Robson.

"He's taken what I've said on board and he's in the squad.''