NEWCASTLE United boss Kevin Keegan returns to one of his favourite grounds, Upton Park, this Saturday with a near fully-fit squad to choose from for the vital clash with West Ham.

The Toon have put together a six-match unbeaten run to close within five points of the Hammers with three matches remaining.

Should the Tynesiders prevail, with Alan Curbishley's side facing a daunting visit to Old Trafford and a home game against in-form Aston Villa in their closing two Premier League fixtures, Keegan's men could yet finish the season in 10th place.

And the ex-Fulham boss has a fine record at the Boleyn Ground to inspire him, having lost only once in four visits in his first spell as Toon chief.

The Magpies have been flying in recent weeks, beating Fulham, Tottenham, Reading and Sunderland and gaining draws at Portsmouth and Birmingham City.

And Keegan told the Newcastle Chronicle that his cause would be boosted still further by the return from injury of Emre, James Milner, Stephen Carr and Cacapa ahead of Saturday's journey to the East End.

And the quartet could all play in a behind-closed-doors friendly to prove their fitness.

"Just about everybody will be back and available for selection at West Ham on Saturday," said Keegan.

"Emre, James Milner and Stephen Carr are OK, and Cacapa will be back in full training and we didn't lose anyone through injury against Sunderland, so that's good.

"The problem we have is that we haven't got any reserve games so we'll try and fix one up behind closed doors instead."

Keegan has enjoyed a fine managerial record against the Hammers, losing just two of the 11 fixtures between his sides - Newcastle and Manchester City - and West Ham.

Further to that, the former England manager's Newcastle won on three of their four visits to the Bolyen Ground between 1993 and 1996.

However, one word of caution - on his first managerial visits to E13 with both Newcastle and Manchester City, the games ended goalless.