NEWCASTLE United go into this weekend's East London showdown with West Ham looking to make it four consecutive clean sheets for the first time in almost 11 years.

The Geordies have recorded shutouts in their last three matches and have conceded just once in the last seven-and-a-half hours of football.

You have to go all the way back to the end of 1996/97 to find the last time the Magpies prevented the opposition from scoring four games in a row.

But Steve Harper and co have a chance to equal that club Premier League record on Saturday when they take-on Alan Curbishley's faltering Hammers.

And Toon boss Kevin Keegan is not backing against his stingy rearguard emerging from Upton Park with yet another unbreached target.

"The defence has been outstanding in recent weeks," KK told Newcastle World TV.

"But if the team is playing well it gives the defence something to hold on to.

"In the past I think there has been a feeling that if we go a goal down where are we going to get a goal from.

"I think they know now that we have got goals in us and we have shown that against Spurs, Reading and Sunderland in recent matches.

"But everyone is playing their part and there has been no weak link.

"It's a great run of clean sheets and every time we play now we look solid at the back."