A goal and an assist in Newcastle’s last two victories against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur have seen Viduka help ease relegation fears at St James’s Park.

Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate played with Dukes at two of his previous clubs, initially at Leeds United and then Middlesbrough.

Leeds were in serious danger of relegation from the Premiership during the 2002/3 season and only escaped the drop thanks to Viduka’s goals.

A 3-2 victory in the penultimate match of that season against Arsenal saw the V-Bomber snatch a last-gasp winner at Highbury - a match which also saw Harry Kewell score a spectacular goal. Viduka was also on target in the final match of that season against Aston Villa at Elland Road which rubber-stamped survival.

His goals the following year couldn’t save Leeds from crashing into the Championship but he went on to perform his survival show at the Riverside with seven goals in the closing weeks of last season.”

Woodgate told Spurs official website: “I played with Mark at Leeds and again at Middlesbrough last season and I don’t know exactly how many goals he scored but his goals probably kept us up, he’s that good.

“For a big man, people always say he has great feet and he’s briiliant. He’s a tremendous player and a real asset for Newcastle.”