as seen on au.fourfourtwo.comNewcastle's caretaker boss believes Mark Viduka still has a role to play at St James' Park in the short-term, despite the Australian's long-term future at the club being in doubt.
The forward's current deal expires at the end of the season and it is by no means certain that it will be extended. He has been bizarrely linked with an unlikely return to play for his old Melbourne Knights club in the Victorian State League.
But he has also been linked with a marquee spot at Melbourne Victory next season or new team Melbourne Hearts when they join the A-League in 18 months.
Injuries have so far blighted Viduka's season - with just five games, and only 20 starts for Newcastle since he joined them - but he looks likely to be back in action this weekend against Tim Cahill's Everton.
Chris Hughton, in charge of the Magpies whilst Joe Kinnear recovers from a recent heart operation, told Newcastle's Evening Chronicle he thinks Viduka could be an important player in the club's bid to avoid relegation from the top flight.
"Mark has a very big role to play for us. He's a big name player," Hughton said.
Viduka only recently returned to the Newcastle first-team as a late substitute at West Bromwich after a groin injury kept him out since Boxing Day when he was booed off the field by angry fans upset by his latest injury.
It is likely the 33-year-old Australian hitman, who has battled a number of injuries in the last 12 months, will be used mostly off the bench for Newcastle in the latter part of this season.
Hughton added: "We're aware of how many games we've got left this season. For every player, they know how important it's going to be.
"That's regardless of what part they play, be it a bit part role or the whole game - they have a contribution to make and that's the same for Mark.
"We are certainly much better off with a fully fit Mark Viduka than without him."
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