Kinnear tackles Butt puzzle

Joe Kinnear hopes to keep hold of Nicky Butt so the veteran midfielder can pass on his experience to Newcastle's youngsters.

The 33-year-old Champions League winner has been offered a new deal to stay on Tyneside and could finish his career with the north-east giants.

Kinnear has welcomed the former Manchester United star's form of late and is convinced he could have a future role at the club, helping nurture Newcastle's rising stars.

The manager said: "Nicky is very important to us. He is a very influential player.

"I think he is playing as well as any other midfield player in the Premier League at the moment.

"He is very fit, very knowledgeable and you need somebody out there who has got that sort of ability and has seen it and done it in the position we are in.

"I would sooner have that have too many young ones who may get too sucked into it and lose their way a little bit."