Kinnear believes the duo have inspired them in their recent games, including the win over Aston Villa on Monday.
Kinnear said: “Joey was outstanding in the game on Monday.
“Him and Nicky Butt are the heartbeat of our side.
“The pair of them have been superb and have given us a real platform to build on in the games since I’ve been here.
“Their performances are giving everyone confidence and you can see everyone else rising up and getting a lift because of their performances.”
