Viduka wants to be Newcastle first choice

Veteran striker Mark Viduka hopes his two-goal salvo against Derby will convince Newcastle boss Sam Allarydce that he should be a regular starter in the struggling Premier League side.

The 32-year-old Australian took his season's tally to five from just nine starts with his brace in the 2-2 draw with Derby and now he wants to keep his place having been out of the side since November's home loss to Liverpool. "Every player wants to play and it's been hard being out of the side," said Viduka.

"But I've been working hard in training and I know my qualities. I've been round long enough and I think everyone knows what I can do.

"I love playing football and I want to do well for the club and win back my place in the team," Viduka told the club's official website. Newcastle are currently ninth in the Premier League and face second-from-bottom Wigan on Wednesday desperately needing three points after being booed off St James's Park on Saturday.

"After the game the dressing room was like we had lost the game," said Viduka whose goals were his first since the win against West Ham in September.

NEWCASTLE, England, Tuesday AFP.