GLENN Roeder saluted the performance of Giuseppe Rossi after the loan striker marked his first Newcastle United start with a goal in the 3-0 Carling Cup victory over Portsmouth at St. James' Park.

Rossi, born in New Jersey but an Italian U21 international, has waited patiently for a full 90 minutes after arriving at St. James' Park on a temporary basis from Manchester United at the end of the August transfer window.

Toon boss Roeder gave Rossi his chance for the visit of Pompey - and he didn't disappoint, opening the scoring with a crisp finish at the Gallowgate End past David James in the 48th minute.

Roeder raved: "That was Giuseppe's first start in our black and white and I thought the shirt and colours suited him very well.

"I'm pretty sure he's going to play lots of times between now and the end of December. He wants that for himself, and that's why Sir Alex Ferguson let him come here in the first place - so he could get games.

"We're very grateful to have him. He's a magnificent young man to have around the training ground and he's someone who has made a big impression on the staff and his team-mates.

"He's been very patient waiting for his opportunity and when it's come along he has taken it. The way he finished his goal was very impressive to say the least.

"It was a fantastic finish, he was onto the ball so quickly that he gave David James no chance. David's one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership but he had no chance with the shot."

As things stand Rossi will return to the Red Devils at the end of December.

Roeder added: "We have to accept that the agreement is until the last day of December, and ironically we have Manchester United here on January 1.

"It could become an interesting situation as the better he plays here the more likely Sir Alex will want him back, and we have to accept that.

"But there are a lot of games between now and December and he'll play a lot of football for us, that is for sure."

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