Viduka has made a “miraculous” return from injury according to Kinnear, who had feared the Socceroo striker’s achilles problem would end his playing days.

"We thought his injury was a lot more severe, but he seems to have made a miraculous recovery," Kinnear told UK paper The Times. “By his own admission he was going back to Australia at the end of the season and turning it in, but hopefully he’s changed his mind. We certainly think he’s got another year in him. He was on his third opinion [with the doctors]. But it’s just gradually got better and credit to him, because he’s worked extremely hard to get back in shape.

"He’s very talented. Mark is completely the opposite to Obafemi Martins, who has electric legs and blistering pace, but he’s a classy, bright player. When I put him on against Middlesbrough, it was a case of saying three Hail Marys. You hope it [the tendon] doesn’t snap."

After returning against Middlesbrough last week, Viduka is in line for further first-team action this weekend when Newcastle host Stoke City.