Duff has Toon future

Apr 6 2008 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

KEVIN KEEGAN hopes that assuring Damien Duff he has a future at Newcastle will prevent the Irishman from burning himself out in training.

Despite dropping him recently, Keegan is adamant that Duff (right) is a big part of his long-term plans at St James’s Park.

And the winger has been so keen to win back his place that the United boss has had to warn him to slow down.

“Damien Duff is a key player,” said Keegan. “I keep telling him that every day.

“I don’t tell him that because I am trying to keep him sweet.

“I tell him that because I honestly believe he has a major role to play.

“He has just got to wait for his opportunity. He has had the injury problems but he is through them now.

“He is very fit and has worked very hard.”

A little too hard, in fact.

“I said to him two weeks ago that he was working too hard,” added Keegan.

“You can leave a lot of it on the training ground if you are not careful. I told him to ease back a bit and do less quality work in training.”