Newcastle united

Owen '50-50' for weekend - Roeder
Newcastle striker Michael Owen is '50-50' to make his comeback against Chelsea on Sunday. Boss Glenn Roeder says Owen will not return unless in his opinion he is "in pristine condition". The 27-year-old has long identified this weekend's fixture as the one in which he hoped to feature again. He has spent the past 10 months on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in England's World Cup game with Sweden last June. Roeder though has warned a minor groin problem means Owen may have to wait until the trip to Reading a week on Monday. He said: "At this stage, I have not even discussed it with Michael as to whether he will be back for us on Sunday. "His groin is a bit sore, but that is what happens when players have been out for a long time, they pick up niggles in other parts of their body. "At the moment, we are being very careful with Michael, as we would with any other player. "He certainly has not been ruled out of the Chelsea game but, if in the end he is, then we will start looking to our next match at Reading." There had been fears that Owen's comeback would be delayed again after he was not selected in Newcastle's reserve squad to face Middlesbrough on Tuesday. His only action so far came when he played 70 minutes in a friendly against Gretna at the club's training ground on 10 April and scored. The timing of Owen's return has become increasingly political, with chairman Freddy Shepherd indicating at the weekend he is prepared to go to court to prevent England calling up the player for the vital Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia in June. Newcastle are currently fighting for compensation for their £17m record signing's lengthy absence from the game.

Premiership backs Newcastle claim
The Premier League has backed Newcastle's claim for compensation from the Football Association for Michael Owen's serious injury on England duty. Owen, 27, suffered knee ligament damage against Sweden in the 2006 World Cup. Newcastle have received about £6m compensation from the FA, Fifa and, their insurer, but want to recoup £150,000 paid out in getting Owen fit. They have threatened legal action and Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards says the claim is "justified." He said: "I think Newcastle's chairman Freddy Shepherd is very, very justified in asking for certain things." Shepherd has indicated he is prepared to go to court to prevent England calling up the player for the vital Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia in June. And Richards said: "It is something that needs sorting out in the game. I ask, 'Who has suffered out of this?' Well, Michael Owen has, but Newcastle United have as well because they have not had his services and someone has got to pay for that. "I think Mr Shepherd is justified in saying this is what we've got to do. I think it is a real test case. "I think it is a shame that football has to get itself in this position, when it is not difficult for the FA and Newcastle to get together to sort this out outside the media. "But Mr Shepherd and Newcastle are one of our members and obviously they have the support of the Premier League." Owen,meanwhile, may have to delay his return from a 10-month injury lay-off until his side's trip to Reading on 30 April. Magpies boss Glenn Roeder said on Thursday that Owen, 27, is '50-50' to play against Chelsea on Sunday. But, speaking from Newmarket races on Racing UK, Owen said: "I am looking at the game after that to make my return. "I am just feeling the effects of doing so much work and I have got a bit of a tight groin at the minute." He has long identified this weekend's fixture as the one in which he hoped to feature again. But Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder says the former Liverpool and Real Madrid frontman will not return unless in his opinion he is "in pristine condition". "At this stage, I have not even discussed it with Michael as to whether he will be back for us on Sunday," added Roeder. "His groin is a bit sore, but that is what happens when players have been out for a long time, they pick up niggles in other parts of their body. "He certainly has not been ruled out of the Chelsea game but, if in the end he is, then we will start looking to our next match at Reading." There had been fears that Owen's comeback would be delayed again after he was not selected in Newcastle's reserve squad to face Middlesbrough on Tuesday. His only action so far came when he played 70 minutes in a friendly against Gretna at the club's training ground on 10 April and scored.

Harper hails Bramble performance
Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper has heaped praise on defender Titus Bramble after his performance in the 0-0 draw against Chelsea on Sunday. "That's the Titus Bramble that we all love to see," Harper told SSB. "His contract is up in three weeks so it would have been easy for him not to care or just to go through the motions. "Yet he has relished the challenge against a top player in Didier Drogba, and he was magnificent." Harper added: "People probably expected Chelsea to turn up and turn us over, but we've worked hard this week to counter the threat of their set pieces and long-range shooting and it worked. "Steven Taylor was given man of the match, but really there were seven or eight players who could have got it. All credit to them." The Magpies have now gone unbeaten at home in the league this season against the top four Premiership sides.

Ameobi set for Newcastle return
Striker Shola Ameobi could make a surprise return for Newcastle's first-team at the end of this month. Ameobi, 25, has been on the sidelines since having surgery in November on a long-standing hip injury. He played his second reserve team match against in the 3-1 loss against Bolton on 24 April and could be in the squad to face Reading on 30 April. "We were told we would be lucky if he was fit to take part in pre-season training in early July," said Roeder. "The thought of him playing again this year is amazing and he must be pleased with himself because he now he knows he probably will play this season." Ameobi could return to the first-team squad at Reading on Monday.

Newcastle comeback delights Owen
Newcastle striker Michael Owen says he feels he is "stronger than ever" after making his comeback from a long-term knee problem on Monday. The Magpies lost 1-0 at Reading but Owen, who was injured during England's 2006 World Cup match with Sweden on 20 June, played for the whole match. "I didn't expect to play the whole game," said the 27-year-old. "I'll take it as a positive that I know I have come back twice as strong as when I left the field in Germany." Owen came through the match unscathed and only played for the full 90 minutes because of injuries to Antoine Sibierski and Emre as Newcastle chased an equaliser. "We had in our mind that I would play for about an hour," he added. "But with the way the game panned out, with a couple injuries and us needing to nick a goal, I was feeling fine and carried on. "I knew I would be okay and the physio told the manager I could play 90 minutes, if needed. That is the way it transpired but it wasn't the plan." Owen is now set to play against Blackburn and Watford in Newcastle's final two games of the season. He is also likely to figure in England manager Steve McClaren's plans for the friendly against Brazil on 1 June - the national side's first game at the renovated Wembley. England also play Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifier on 6 June. "It has been a long time but it has all been worth it now," said Owen. "I'm looking forward to the rest of the season and the next campaign as well. "I hope to play for Newcastle in the next two games. That is the immediate thing. "The summer will take care of itself and if I'm picked for England, I've never turned down my country in my life."

Roeder resigns as Newcastle boss
Glenn Roeder has resigned as manager of Newcastle United. Roeder and chairman Freddy Shepherd came under fire from fans after the home defeat by Blackburn on Saturday. Ex-Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has been linked to the vacancy at Newcastle, who have been hit by injuries this season and are 13th in the Premiership. A statement on the club's website said: "Glenn Roeder has offered his resignation with immediate effect and this has been accepted by the board." Newcastle have not scored a league goal at St James' Park in over eight hours of playing time, which is their worst run since 1951. Roeder spent 15 months in charge at St James' Park, including his spell as caretaker. Shepherd confirmed to SSB on Sunday night that 51-year-old Roeder had resigned. Five Live Sport's Ian Dennis said: "Roeder has resigned, walking away with immediate effect after being summoned to a hastily arranged board meeting on Sunday morning. "It's no surprise in the north-east that Sam Allardyce is already emerging as a strong favourite to replace him." Allardyce ended his eight-year reign as Bolton boss by resigning on 29 April. It is not yet clear who will take charge of the Magpies for their final Premiership game of the season at Watford on Sunday.

Allardyce tipped for Magpies job
Sam Allardyce is the favourite to take over as Newcastle manager following Glenn Roeder's resignation on Sunday. Bookmakers Ladbrokes have suspended all betting on Allardyce's appointment. Allardyce, who stepped down from his position as Bolton boss on 29 April, turned down the chance to manage the Magpies just under three years ago. Roeder's number two Nigel Pearson, who will be assisted by Lee Clark and Terry McDermott, will take charge of Sunday's final game of the season at Watford. Last year Allardyce was interviewed for the England managerial position following the exit of Sven-Goran Eriksson after the 2006 World Cup. Allardyce pledged to focus on Bolton after missing out on a role he publicly stated he would "love", but resigned with two league games of the season remaining. Under Allardyce, Bolton reached a League Cup final and in the past he has also guided the club to European football. Roeder resigned on Sunday after he and chairman Freddy Shepherd had come under fire from fans after the home defeat by Blackburn on Saturday. The 2-0 defeat by Rovers also meant Newcastle had the unenviable record of failing to score in a fifth successive home league game for the first time since 1951. Newcastle, a club with debts of around £80m, are currently 13th in the Premiership. Other candidates for the managerial position include former skipper Alan Shearer, although he has still to obtain the required coaching badges that the Premier League now insists managers must have before they can manage a club. Blackburn manager Mark Hughes, Eriksson and Sevilla's Juande Ramos have also been linked with the vacancy.

Eriksson Magpies link played down
Sven-Goran Eriksson's agent has played down reports linking the former England boss to Newcastle's managerial vacancy. Eriksson apparently topped a poll over who should become Magpies boss by a radio station, who then contacted his agent Athole Still for a reaction. Former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is favourite for the role and Still told SSB: "I am not trying to create pressure on the Newcastle board. "I merely fielded the question would he be interested? Of course he would." Still added: "Newcastle is huge club, with fabulous fans and a great stadium. "Everything there would be the kind of situation to attract any major international coach." Glenn Roeder resigned as Magpies boss on Sunday and Allardyce has been widely tipped as the likely replacement. Let's hope the next manager will be a step onwards for the club. Let's hope whoever it is will bring to Newcastle what we all want - and that's silverware Ex-Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson on the managerial vacancy at St James' Park Swede Eriksson has been out of a job since leaving the England post following the unsuccessful 2006 World Cup campaign. He has been linked to a number of Premiership clubs as well as French club Marseille. But he is not believed to be high on chairman Freddy Shepherd's shortlist. Indeed, in April, Shepherd dismissed rumours that the former Lazio boss was being lined up to replace Roeder. Reports have suggested that Allardyce will be installed at the St James' Park helm and some bookmakers have suspended all betting on such an appointment. Allardyce, who stepped down from his Bolton position on 29 April, turned down the chance to manage Newcastle just under three years ago. "I have a very good friend in Sam Allardyce and he is apparently the favourite for the job," added Still. "I don't want to appear to be undermining him in his candidacy, if that's the right word." However, there have also been suggestions that Houllier could be in the running. Houllier left Anfield in May 2004 and led Lyon to a record sixth successive French title this season. Meanwhile, former Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson has urged the fans to unite behind the next manager. Robson, who supported Newcastle as a boy and who was axed from the Magpies helm in 2004, told the Daily Telegraph: "It is a massive club and I just hope they can get the right man. "Whoever it is can succeed. They need all the support of the board and the fans and, with the support of everyone, it is a wonderful job." Former England boss Robson sat alongside Newcastle chief Shepherd during Saturday's defeat by Blackburn, which was Roeder's last game in charge, but refused to speculate on who might take over the hot-seat. "It is not my position to guess who will be made manager," confirmed Robson, who is undergoing chemotherapy after cancerous nodules were found in his lungs. "Let's hope the next manager will be a step onwards for the club. Let's hope whoever it is will bring to Newcastle what we all want - and that's silverware."

Shepherd tells Owen to stay loyal
Angry Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has told Michael Owen to show some loyalty and warned him none of the 'big four' clubs want to buy him. Shepherd is furious after reports suggested Owen, who has played only 13 games since joining Newcastle for £17m in 2005, could leave in the summer. "Michael has two choices: he can come out and tell our fans that he is happy here," Shepherd told the Daily Express. "Or I tell him none of the big four are interested. Because that's the case." A report in the Times newspaper suggested Owen could be available for as little as £9m, making him a target for the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. But Shepherd went on: "These suggestions will not impress our fans after what has happened in the last couple of years. "This report was a very thinly-disguised attempt to flog Owen from under our feet, sourced very close to the player or those who look after him. The information must have come from there, not from our club." Owen and his representatives have not responded to Shepherd's outburst but BBC Radio Five Live reporter Alistair Bruce-Ball understands the England striker wants to stay at St James' Park. "My understanding is the Owen camp claim they are not responsible for these stories," said Bruce-Ball. "Their position is that Owen has a contract with Newcastle and he does clearly feel this loyalty towards the club and its fans because they have seen so little of him on the pitch. "I'm told the identity of new manager - predicted to be Sam Allardyce - would have no impact on his decision." Owen arrived at St James' Park in 2005 but played only 11 games in his first season before breaking a bone in his foot. He recovered in time to play at the World Cup where he suffered a serious knee injury which ruled him out of most of this season. Shepherd said: "The loyalty this club has shown him over the last two years, when he had injury problems in his first season and had missed virtually all of this season, deserves something in return. "He has had a really serious injury and no-one, least of all one of the biggest clubs, is likely to take a risk at this stage. "He has to prove to everyone, himself and Newcastle United included, that he is fully recovered and not about to break down again."

Magpies unveil Allardyce as boss
Newcastle have appointed former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce as their new manager on a three-year contract. The 52-year-old was officially unveiled by the Magpies as the successor to Glenn Roeder at St James' Park. Allardyce, who turned down the Newcastle job once before, said: "It is fantastic from my point of view. "A couple of years ago there was an opportunity which I declined, now I feel like I'm ready to implement what I did at Bolton for seven years." Allardyce said his ambition was to "win a trophy or qualify for Europe over the next few years". He added: "I'm ambitious and I know this club is. It hasn't had the best success but I feel I can turn it round. "I've left a football club that is very, very healthy so when it does come my time to leave Newcastle I hope I have done the same here. "I hope I can bring the success that the fans are so desperate for. "I'm not saying I can get it right at the flick of a switch. If there are some sticky times I hope we can get over them for the best of the supporters and me." Allardyce left Bolton after over seven years, citing his desire for a rest but also admitting the desire to win silverware was behind his decision. After a six-day break in Spain he said the move to Newcastle came about over a hectic weekend. He leaves behind Bolton, who claimed a Uefa Cup place after finishing seventh, to join a Newcastle side that finished 13 points behind them in 13th place in the Premiership. Asked what makes Newcastle a more likely destination for trophies he added: "Everything about it. The resources, the facilities, the fans, the amount of revenue that can be generated by a club of this size. "No disrespect to Bolton, it is a club I love, but this club is massive in terms of what it can achieve." Allardyce met his backroom staff and the players who have not already left for their summer break. He admitted he would phoning the players who were not present, including Michael Owen, who has been linked with a move away from the club. He was hopeful of convincing Owen and fellow striker Obafemi Martins to stay. He said: "You wouldn't want to lose your leading scorers. They are two fantastic scorers and very much part of the future at Newcastle I hope. "I hope to strengthen the squad throughout the summer months." Allardyce said he would implementing the sort of scientific approach to Newcastle that was his trademark at Bolton - and hoped it would help solve the injury problems that have hindered the club in recent years. He said: "There has been too many injuries. They seem to be forever talking about the everlasting injury list. One of first things I'll have to look at are why those injuries have happened? "Far too many players have had too many injuries too often." Allardyce also defender the style of play his Bolton side played, dismissing suggestions that he favoured a long-ball game. "When I beat big clubs their manager used to have to come up with an excuse for beating them and that was because we play long ball football. "When they do it at Manchester United they call it a long pass." Allardyce made a grand entrance to the north-east, flying by helicopter on Tuesday after attending the League Managers' Association dinner in Nottingham on Monday. He resigned as Bolton boss on 29 April and, after Glenn Roeder stepped down as Magpies manager on 6 May, became the favourite for the post at St James' Park. The former Blackpool and Notts County boss, who rejected the chance to manage Newcastle just under three years ago, was interviewed for the position of England coach last summer. But he was beaten to the role by the then Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren. He had been linked to Manchester City, who have a managerial vacancy after Stuart Pearce was sacked on Monday, but has opted to try to turn around Newcastle's fortunes. Former Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit wished Allardyce well in his new job. He told the SSB "I hope he will succeed because Newcastle is like a big giant that wants to wake up. "The fans are great, the people are great there and I hope they can do it. "The difficulty for them is to get the right players there because most players who want to come to England want to play for Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool - the big clubs. So for them it is difficult to get the right players. "Sometimes players go there who maybe didn't want to but had no other choice. "There are some outstanding players there but it hasn't been a team for one reason or another so I hope he will make a team. Team spirit will be the most important thing."

Bramble out as Allardyce rebuilds
Newly-appointed Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has wasted little time in releasing five players. Defenders Titus Bramble, 25, and 31-year-old Australian Craig Moore have not been offered new contracts. Czech keeper Pavel Srnicek, 39, and left-back Olivier Bernard, 27, have also been shown the door. Allardyce has also opted not to make United States defender Oguchi Onyewu's loan period from Belgian club Standard Liege into a permanent move. Bramble joined Newcastle for £5m from Ipswich in 2002, but his time has been blighted by costly errors. Experienced defender Moore arrived on Tyneside in July 2005 from Borussia Moenchengladbach, following two spells at Rangers either side of a loan period at Crystal Palace. Newcastle signed Bernard on a free transfer from Lyon in August 2000 and in his first five years made 82 League starts. But his failure to hold down a place in the past couple of years has seen him loaned out to Southampton and Rangers. Much-travelled Czech Republic international keeper Srnicek has ended his second spell at St James' Park. He first signed for the Magpies for £250,000 from Banik Ostrava in February 1991 and made 148 League starts during a six-year spell when he was Newcastle's number one. Srnicek returned to Banik in August 1998, but then embarked on a tour of clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday, Brescia, Portsmouth and West Ham.

Sibierski turns down Magpies deal
French striker Antoine Sibierksi has turned down Newcastle's offer of a new one-year contract. The 32-year-old arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and was hailed by then manager Glenn Roeder as one of biggest bargains of the season. But Sibierski's agent revealed: "Antoine has been offered one year, but he wants two years. "He feels he still has two or three years at the highest level, so if they offered two years, he would sign." He added: "His wife and family are still based in Manchester, and it would be a big upheaval to move and change schools for one year. "At the moment, he has been offered one year and he is looking elsewhere. "If he were to be offered two years, his preference is to sign for Newcastle." Sibierski scored eight goals in 37 appearances, including vital strikes in the Uefa Cup clashes with Levadia Tallinn, Fenerbahce and Celta Vigo. He is currently recovering from the broken arm he suffered at Reading on 30 April.

Newcastle call for Ashley meeting
Newcastle's board has requested a meeting next week with the club's potential new owner Mike Ashley. United's board want to discuss in more detail Ashley's offer and plans for the club following his acquisition of Sir John Hall's 41.6% stake. On Wednesday, Hall told BBC Radio Newcastle: "We've had quite a few people come to us, but many of them weren't right. "I feel Ashley and his team are right. He'll take us to a new dimension." Hall added: "I'm certain he'll be good for the club or I wouldn't have sold to him." Ashley purchased the Hall family's stake for £55m with the ultimate aim of clinching a complete £133.1m buy-out of chairman Freddy Shepherd and the remaining shareholders. Shepherd, who has a 29.8% stake in the club, is thought to be shocked by recent events, but Hall has backed Ashley - who made his fortune through sportswear firm Sports World. "He knows the passion of the fans, he knows how much it means on Tyneside," Hall said. "I've talked to him enough to be assured they've got the passion for the club as we all have. "You can't run a club without being attached to it. You can't run a club without feeling for it because it is about people, it's about the passion of the people. "He knows the supporters are passionate." Shepherd and the Newcastle board are due to meet shortly to consider Ashley's offer of 100p per share. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Ashley needs a 50% share to take control of the club, including who sits on the board That means Shepherd could lose control of the club even if he does not sell his 29% stake Ashley needs Shepherd's shares in order to reach the 75% required to delist the club from the Stock Exchange If Ashley manages to buy more than 50% of shares, he will have day-to-day control of the club and if he gets to 75%, he will be able to delist the club from the Stock Exchange. Hall will remain involved at St James' Park as life president but admitted the time was right for him to step aside. He said: "I think I've done the best thing but one can never tell. I'm 74 now and for some time I've felt the family need to take a new direction. "It's been known we've wanted to sell our shares and move on to other things. "We probably ran out of ideas a bit. You've got to make changes every now and again. "There's no room for old men. I've got a lot of experience but it's a young man's game."

Newcastle consider Ashley offer
Newcastle's board are to "consider" an offer from Mike Ashley following discussions with the billionaire businessman on Thursday. United's board had previously made it clear they required more detail regarding Ashley's offer. That followed his acquisition of Sir John Hall's 41.6% stake. And earlier this month, Hall told SSB: "I feel Ashley and his team are right. He will take us to a new dimension." Hall added: "I'm certain he'll be good for the club or I wouldn't have sold to him." Ashley purchased the Hall family's stake for £55m with the ultimate aim of clinching a complete £133.1m buy-out of chairman Freddy Shepherd and the remaining shareholders. Shepherd, who has a 29.8% stake in the club, is thought to be shocked by recent events, but Hall has backed Ashley - who made his fortune through sportswear firm Sports World. "He knows the passion of the fans, he knows how much it means on Tyneside," Hall said. "I've talked to him enough to be assured they've got the passion for the club as we all have. "You can't run a club without being attached to it. You can't run a club without feeling for it because it is about people, it's about the passion of the people. "He knows the supporters are passionate." Shepherd and the Newcastle board are due to meet shortly to consider Ashley's offer of 100p per share. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Ashley needs a 50% share to take control of the club, including who sits on the board That means Shepherd could lose control of the club even if he does not sell his 29% stake Ashley needs Shepherd's shares in order to reach the 75% required to delist the club from the Stock Exchange If Ashley manages to buy more than 50% of shares, he will have day-to-day control of the club and if he gets to 75%, he will be able to delist the club from the Stock Exchange. Hall will remain involved at St James' Park as life president but admitted the time was right for him to step aside. He said: "I think I've done the best thing but one can never tell. I'm 74 now and for some time I've felt the family need to take a new direction. "It's been known we've wanted to sell our shares and move on to other things. "We probably ran out of ideas a bit. You've got to make changes every now and again. "There's no room for old men. I've got a lot of experience but it's a young man's game."

Wigan sign former Magpie Bramble
Wigan have signed defender Titus Bramble on a three-year contract. Bramble, who was released by Newcastle at the end of the season, joins on a free transfer and becomes Chris Hutchings' first signing as Wigan boss. "This is an excellent signing and he'll add experience to the back four," Hutchings said of the 25-year-old, who started his career at Ipswich. "Other clubs were very interested and it speaks volumes for us as a club that he has chosen to come here." Squad selector: Would Bramble fit into your Wigan starting XI? Bramble was regarded as one of the country's brightest prospects during his time with Ipswich and earned 12 England Under-21 caps between 2000 and 2002. He spent five years on Tyneside after a £5m move to the north-east in 2002 and made 105 appearances for the Magpies. However, he was told his contract would not be renewed upon Sam Allardyce's arrival at St James' Park in May. Bramble will join up with his new team-mates for pre-season training at the end of June.

View Full Version: Newcastle united