[kennethlindheim]

SCOTT Parker has started his quest to be fit for Newcastle United's Intertoto Cup campaign after taking the first steps on his road to recovery.

While many of his colleagues are relaxing on their summer holidays, the 25-year-old began doing some light running on Thursday as he looks to return to top condition after a bout of glandular fever.

Parker missed the last seven games of the 2005/06 campaign, but his never-say-die approach won him huge backing among Geordie fans during his maiden term on Tyneside.

And boss Glenn Roeder says the Londoner will "be even better" next season - when he wants to free the former Chelsea and Charlton man from being "pigeon-holed" as a defensive midfielder.

The Toon gaffer told nufc.co.uk: "While most of the boys are now taking their holidays before coming back on June 28, Scott has already had his break in some ways while recovering from glandular fever.

"He has started his return to fitness by doing some light running. It's very gentle at the moment and I would think he will pick it up gradually between now and June 28 when the players come back.

"Knowing Scott, and his self-motivation, I would expect him to report back as near to full fitness as the other lads. He keeps in regular touch with myself and particularly Derek Wright.

"Scott's target will be starting in our first Intertoto game, like it should be for all the other players. That's the goal to aim for."

Parker made 32 appearances for Newcastle last term, even skippering the side in the absence of Alan Shearer during Roeder's caretaker regime. His final action of the season came at former club Charlton, when he signed off with a 30-yard screamer at The Valley for his second goal in a black and white shirt.

Many fans have already earmarked the midfielder as a future captain, and while Roeder has still to decide who will take on the skipper's armband following the retirement of Alan Shearer, he believes we are still to see the best of the schemer.

He added: "As well as Scott did in his first season, and he was terrific, people should trust me when I say he will be even better next time.

"I saw the response he got from the fans when he played at St. James' Park last season when he was running round making tackles, displaying such effort and commitment."

Although mainly used in a deeper role last term, Roeder also believes Parker is at his best when, like in his Charlton days, he was a box-to-box performer.

He said: "I don't want Scott piegon-holed as a holiding midfielder. Scott Parker is not that.

"Scott has the ability to get forward and to score goals from around the penalty area. The goal he scored at Charlton last season is an example of the shooting ability he possesses, so I want to see him around the box.

"When he was at Charlton, the reason Chelsea paid so much money was because he was Charlton's driving force, a bit like Steven Gerrard is at Liverpool.

"If Scott Parker played well, then Charlton played well. I saw them a lot in Scott's last season at Charlton and he was their Steven Gerrard, the one driving them on.

"He's a player who commands huge respect in the dressing room. He's an intelligent lad and that makes him a potential leader."

Excellent news, glad to hear as well he will be able to play his more natural game next season