HE'S as much at home strutting his stuff on a Paris cat-walk, as he is turning on the style at St James's Park.

And half the population of Tyneside - the female part - swooned when David Ginola paraded in the famous black and white shirt for the first time.

It didn't take long either for their menfolk to be caught up in the adulation of a genuine football superstar.

The champagne style of the cat-walk seems a million miles away from the down-to-earth brown ale image of Geordieland.

But one man - Ginola - has brought the two together.

Newcastle United's fanatical supporters soon realised that a penchant for earning a few francs as a male model needn't detract from what really turns them on - football.

As far as the Toon Army is concerned, for Ginola read genius.

The incredible Geordie welcome has made St James's Park home from home for the acceptable face of French football.

"I love to play where I am appreciated," he explains.

"Sometimes I have not been appreciated by the manager. But that is not the case with Kevin Keegan."

Until last Saturday's home game against Liverpool, the former Paris St Germain star had hit few snags in settling in, either on or off the pitch.

But Liverpool, despite being unluckily beaten, prompted a few doubts among the title-chasing Magpies and Ginola realises that November is a big month for their ambitions.

"To be truthful, we have been comfortable in virtually all the matches (before Liverpool) we have played so far," he said. "But this month, we face Liverpool, Blackburn, Leeds and Aston Villa and it could determine whether we will win the championship or not."

Ginola is just the sort of footballing artist the critics often claim would perish among the physical jungle of the Premiership.

The Frenchman, however, has different ideas:

"The English game suits me fine, despite the opinions of some people about Continental footballers.

"I enjoy the physical side of the game. It's part of football and doesn't put me off. Neither do any crowds who have a go at me. Because that's a compliment, I must be damaging their team if they want to have a go."

Ginola's graduation has undoubtedly been helped by his multi-million pound link with Les Ferdinand and he has the highest praise for his partner.

"I played with George Weah at PSG and had the sort of partnership that I have found with Les Ferdinand," he explained.

"But I think Les is even better in the air than George which is ideal because of my ability to cross from tight situations.

"Les and I will get a good return from that."

Other Newcastle players are also reaping the dividends from Ginola.

Left back John Beresford says: "He makes a full back's life a dream. He has helped my career enormously and has created another dimension for me. I just have to look up and give him the ball."

Rovers will do well to prevent that happening too often this evening.

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