Totally unknown until the start of the 2000/01 season when exciting performances in the reserves prompted Bobby Robson to promote him to the first team squad and reward him with a new four-year contract.

Made his debut for the Magpies in a 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea in the Premiership in September 2000. His first goal came in a 3-1 victory over Coventry City.

A lanky player who often looks uncomfortable on the ball, he manages to trick opponents in a false sense of security and then he's gone.

The player was a member of David Platt's England squad at the European Under-21 championships in May 2002. By then he had scored seven goals in 26 starts for Newcastle.