Tomasson celebrates scoring versus Uruguay. (Allsport)

By David Anderson, PA Sport, Ulsan

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Jon Dahl Tomasson has explained how he has gone from zero at Newcastle to hero for Denmark.

Newcastle fans who saw Tomasson's two goals against Uruguay, which took Denmark top of World Cup Group A, could hardly have believed this was the same player who had performed so poorly in their black and white stripes.

During his one season at St James' Park - 1997-98 - the striker managed to score just four goals in 33 appearances.

Yet here he is now, the new star of Danish football, the man who scored the winner in the UEFA Cup final for Feyenoord and is set to join AC Milan in a glamour transfer this summer.

Tomasson, who was only 20 when he moved to St James' Park, claims he was played out of position by then Newcastle manager Kenny Dalglish.

Dalglish used him as an out-and-out striker, while his best position is as a deep-lying forward.

"I was played out of position at Newcastle," he said. "Dalglish knew that and always defended me.

"But I've no regrets. I did my best, but when you don't get a chance to play in your right position it's difficult.

"I'm delighted with how things are going now. I feel great and to score two goals in the World Cup is just perfect."

Sunderland's Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen claims this change of position has enabled Tomasson to blossom into the talented player he now undoubtedly is.

"He was playing as a striker at Newcastle and that's not really his position," he said.

"I think now he's one of the best in the world at coming from midfield and playing just off the striker.

"He's so clever with his runs and the way he runs into the box. It's so difficult for defenders and if they don't pick him up, he scores. We've seen that with Feyenoord this season.

"He's always popping up with important goals for us and in Denmark we all know how good he is.

"For me he's a really, really top player and he has been so important for us."

Tomasson scored his first against Uruguay in the Munsu Stadium just seconds before the half-time whistle when he exchanged passes with Jesper Gronkjaer and then converted the Chelsea winger's cross.

Then after Dario Rodriguez had levelled with a scorching left-footed volley just after the interval, he popped up with the winner eight minutes from time when he headed home substitute Martin Jorgensen's cross.

Denmark could effectively book their place in the second round if they beat Senegal, surprise victors over France in the opening game, in Daegu on Thursday.

And Tomasson admits he would be distraught if Denmark failed to make the knock-out stages after such a fine start.

"I think France are still the favourites and when you look at their squad it has a lot of quality," he said.

"Senegal is a big game for us now, but if we don't get to the second round then everybody will be disappointed. Not just the players, but the whole country."

For Uruguay, they know they must beat France to revive their hopes and coach Victor Pua said: "We now have a very big game against France and I'm going to give everything against France."