18 with a bullet for Toon ace Kaz.

Byline: By LEE RYDER

KAZENGA LuaLua turned back the clock at St James's Park to celebrate his 18th birthday in style - and gave Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear some food for thought ahead of Sunday's trip to Portsmouth.

Teenage ace LuaLua emulated his big brother and former Toon star Lomana with the family's trademark backflip after bagging two crucial goals to send the Magpies into round four of the FA Youth Cup.

And with Kinnear's side struggling with injuries at the moment, there is every chance the youngster, who turns 18 today, will be in the squad at Fratton Park, the scene of Lomana's infamous equaliser which he scored against United in 2004 while on loan with Pompey.

LuaLua junior - who made his first-team debut at Stoke in the FA Cup last term - wooed the loyal United supporters who back the Newcastle kids and their quest for cup glory when he unleashed a 30-yard screamer at Gallowgate before cancelling out Oldham's equaliser with some raw skill late on as he waltzed round the visiting keeper to win the tie.

The skilful United young gun told the Chronicle: "I can celebrate my birthday very happily today.

"It was a really good birthday present, and a really good win.

"We just want to continue our progress in the competition."

The scenes last night at St James's Park were a far cry from 12 months ago when the black-and-whites were dumped out of the competition by Shrewsbury Town, having reached the last four in both 2007 and 2008.

LuaLua added: "We should have won the game last year, and it was disappointing to go out early.

"It's an important competition.

"You always want to play in the Youth Cup, and it was a really good night for us."

Kinshasa-born Kazenga, though, was quick to point out that the success was a team effort with Ryan Donaldson and Nile Ranger also playing big parts, while Samuel Ameobi tried his heart out in front of his older brother Shola who was sitting in the stands.

And on a night of Newcastle connections, teenage substitute Greg McDermott stepped out on to the hallowed turf in front of dad Terry Mac.

Speaking on his goals and how they came about, LuaLua said: "For the first goal it was a good pass from Ryan Donaldson, and a good goal.

"At first I tried to pass to Nile, but then I just hit it, and when it went into the back of the net I was really pleased.

"We needed an early goal.

"We tried to score a second, but they made it 1-1. I scored with five minutes left in the game, and we were happy to go through.

"When they scored, they started to dominate us."

The game was also the last step back to full fitness according to the exciting teenager after the Academy product injured himself playing tennis during the summer before suffering a fresh ankle injury in a friendly with Newcastle Blue Star.

He continued: "That's all behind me now.

"I was injured for three months because I played tennis, which was silly.

"I'm just happy to play football again.

"I'm feeling fit. I played the full game, and I'm feeling good.

"There are no problems at all."

ENGLAND Under-17 star Ryan Donaldson was subbed just after the hour mark in United's FA Youth Cup win last night with a calf problem and was undergoing treatment today at the club's Benton HQ.