Butt has played for nine Newcastle bosses in his spell on Tyneside

Newcastle United midfielder Nicky Butt has praised the impact made on the team by manager Joe Kinnear since his arrival at St James' Park in September.

Butt, 33, has played under nine different managers since arriving in July 2004 and believes Kinnear has been shrewd in his approach to the job.

"He's given us a bit of stability," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"He's not been shouting, he's stood at the side in training and taken it all in and got to know the players."

The England international joined the Magpies from his hometown club Manchester United with a string of honours, including the Champions League and Premier League title, to his name.

And he admitted his surprise at the financial emergence of United's fierce rivals Manchester City, who travel to Tyneside in the Premier League on Monday.

"At the minute City are on a high because they can see all the things that can go for them in the future," he said.

"They've gone up a notch, Chelsea did it a couple of years ago and now City have done it.

"Just when you think you're the biggest club, someone else comes in with more financial clout."