Kevin Keegan, the Newcastle United manager, is hoping the return of Abdoulaye Faye will revitalising the club's season.

The 29-year-old Senegal defender has yet to play for Keegan, but he was on the bench for last Saturday's 4-1 Premier League defeat at Aston Villa after only recently returning from the African Cup of Nations.

However, Faye will be pushing for a return to action ahead of next Saturday's match against Manchester United, and Keegan admits the defender could play a key role for the club.

"I am delighted to have Abdoulaye back," he said. "I have been very impressed with both him and Habib Beye. They both played a part in Senegal's tournament and now have a role to play here."

"As far as Abdoulaye is concerned, he is a very good professional and he has done a very good job here. He is a big lad and we certainly need some height in the team at the moment. But it is not only his height, he has great experience as well."

Faye has been the most impressive of former manager Sam Allardyce's nine summer signings, and with the club leaking 18 goals in seven games, his return could be crucial. Ahead of the visit of the champions Keegan hopes to be able to call on Obafemi Martins, who is recovering from an ankle problem, and beaten finalist Geremi, who returned from Ghana later than his club-mates.

He said: "By the time we play Manchester United, I hope to have all four of the players that were involved in Ghana back in contention. That will give everybody here a big lift."

The Newcastle manager remains upbeat despite failing to secure a victory his five games in charge. Despite his team lying 13th in the table just six points better off than Reading in 18th, the manager is refusing to be down-hearted.

"I have been pleased with the response of the lads," he said. "Everybody has been working hard and been focused. We can still use this period to our advantage in our next game against Manchester United next week."