Robson ready to throw Jenas into title fray

Jermaine Jenas completed his £5m move from Nottingham Forest to Newcastle United yesterday and was told to prepare immediately to play a key role in the Tyneside club's challenge for the Premiership title.

Jenas is only 18 years old, but Bobby Robson, his new manager, showed his faith in his new midfielder's ability to cope immediately with the demands of playing at the highest level. Comparing Jenas to Kieron Dyer, who has been an outstanding success since his £6m move from Ipswich, Robson said: "This club bought very well in Kieron Dyer when a lot of people didn't know whether he was worth that sort of money.

"That's proved a shrewd buy by the club, and it was that basis which was my strong hand when I persuaded the chairman to go for Jermaine hook, line and sinker. Yes, it's a lot of money for the boy but, if you wait two or three years, who knows? We see him as a player capable of playing today with a string of things to come for him."

Jenas, who will be 19 in a fortnight's time on the very day Robson celebrates his 69th birthday, is likely to make his first appearance in the famous black-and-white shirt on Saturday against Southampton.

Speaking at a press conference with impressive self-assurance, Jenas said: "I want to win things. I want to become a better player, and I definitely chose the right manager to make me a better player.

"I'm only 18, nearly 19, and I've got hopefully so much more to come. It's a lot more about education in the game also. We've got a lot of experienced players at this club to help me along, and hopefully I'll be able to do that. I've seen the passion. They're very passionate about their football and it's a great place to be."

He added: "The manager's record speaks for itself. I've come here knowing that Bobby Robson is a good manager and a good developer of players, and I know that he'll be able to develop me as a player and as a person as well."

The signing of Jenas takes Robson's spending to £21m since the end of last season. The Newcastle board were no doubt pleased to hear that their manager will not be asking for further transfer funds this season.

"You never stop trying to build a bigger and buy a better jigsaw, but the jigsaw that we have at the moment is great," Robson said. "I would not expect to be spending any more money between now and the end of the season. We've invested in a young talent, and I'm really happy with the present squad as it stands now. It's working beautifully."

Jenas, predictably, was asked if the price tag would be a weight on his young shoulders. "It's nothing to do with me really," he replied calmly, before his manager added: "It's on my shoulders. He just plays."