KK lined up for Asprilla's glory day.

Byline: By LEE RYDER Chief Sports Writer 

KEVIN KEEGAN could make his first public appearance since quitting Newcastle United in Tino Asprilla's testimonial on July 4.

Keegan is currently involved in a legal battle with the Magpies which could cost Newcastle millions of pounds in compensation.

He has stayed out of the public eye since leaving Tyneside in September after Mike Ashley failed to persuade him to stay on as Toon chief.

Tino is on a whistlestop global tour to promote his A-list celebrity bash in his native Colombia and told the Evening Chronicle he is desperate for KK to be there.

Keegan famously signed the rubberlegged South American for pounds 6.7m in 1996 during the season in which United came agonisingly close to winning the Premier League.

Tino told the Chronicle: "I want Kevin to be there.

"I came here to play for them and for Kevin Keegan, he was a great man to play for.

"Everybody liked him because he was a great manager and friend.

He did everything he could to take the team to the top.

"We had very good players and it was very much a dream team."

Tino is on Tyneside handing out invitations to his former team-mates for his star-studded testimonial on July 4 - when he will link up again with Toon idols Peter Beardsley, Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand.

The Independence Day clash will also feature Diego Maradona, Gianfranco Zola, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluigi Buffon, Carlos Valderrama, Hernan Crespo, Sebastian Veron and eccentric goalie Rene Higuita.

Asprilla added: "This will be a global event and will be beamed out around the world.

"I look forward to welcoming my former team-mates to my hometown for such a big game."

The game will take place at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Asprilla's hometown of Medellin.

Newcastle legend Beardsley said: "Tino was one of the best players I have ever played with.

"He is one of the top three actually. He was brilliant for Newcastle during his time here."