Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder is backing re-born midfielder Nicky Butt to go toe-to-toe with Chelsea's aristocrats to help keep his side's unbeaten run alive.

The battle-ravaged Magpies head for Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night with a reduced squad, but defending an eight-game unbeaten run and with their former Manchester United midfielder arguably in the form of his career.

Roeder, who saw Butt turn in a superb individual display in the 3-1 win at Blackburn on Saturday, said: "All I know is he is doing a superb job for Newcastle at the moment. He put in an immense performance at Blackburn on Saturday. Often at Ewood Park, Robbie Savage gets right on top of his opponent, but Nicky Butt did not really give Savage a kick in the game."