The enigmatic Frenchman played a key role in the Magpies' meteoric rise to within touching distance of the league title during the manager's first spell in charge at St James' Park.

Ginola's thrilling brand of attacking play in a team dubbed 'the Entertainers' earned him a place in the hearts of the Geordie faithful.

Just two matches into his career on Tyneside, Argentina international Jonas has shown the same progressive instincts while at the same time demonstrating a willingness to put in the hard graft in his own half of the field to endear himself further to the fans.

Keegan, whose recruitment drive is ongoing, is delighted with his capture from Real Mallorca, and believes he can be just as popular as Ginola.

marked man

He said: "He is a different player, so he will establish himself in a different way.

"Jonas has got it in him to be thought of every bit as much as David Ginola, but in a different way, definitely.

"He has got so many assets. He is not just one thing or two things, he has got loads more."

Jonas announced himself with a high-octane display in the 1-1 opening weekend draw at Manchester United, and although he found himself a marked man against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, there was a sense of anticipation inside the stadium whenever he was on the ball.

Keegan said: "I said a few weeks ago, I think the fans are really going to take to him.

"But I think the biggest thing they will like about his performance at Old Trafford wasn't the long runs and the fact that he went past people and kept the ball well, it will just be the fact that it meant so much for him to play football and be in a team that wasn't going to be beaten."