Toon Defender 'Body Blow' For Keegan!

Last Updated : 28-Feb-2008 by
Rozehnal slapped in a request for a loan move away from the club just about as soon as Sam Allardyce was sacked, and he made it clear to everyone that he does NOT like working under the ex-England manager.

He got his loan move, and Keegan bit his tongue when the defender had a side-ways swipe at the way Newcastle United was run under the new boss.

Now I'm sure it is no surprise to the Army Army to read this morning that Rozehnal is keen to make his loan move from Newcastle United to Lazio into a permanent transfer in the summer.

Rozehnal, 27, was signed in the summer from Paris St Germain by Allardyce, and it has to be said the defender hardly set the club alight.

A good performance was followed by a "less than good" performance, and Allardyce dropped him more than once.

Keegan arrived and had five midfield players out through injury, suspension or .... errrr ... in jail, and was forced to play the Czech in a holding position that he allegedly "hated".

So now, rather than return to St James' Park, the on-loan defender is hoping to remain with Lazio ... even though he has only played TWO games for the Italians!

David Rozehnal: "We will see what Lazio decide in the summer.

"Of course I would like to stay here as long as possible.

"Of course, the city is more pleasant than Newcastle. I get up in the morning and it is 18 degrees. That is one of the factors that helps me against a bad mood.

"Either it turns out well for me and Lazio will want me on a permanent stay, or I will return to Newcastle. A lot is at stake.

"I came to Lazio to play football. I am not happy about it but what can I do. I don't know if I would be playing more at Newcastle.

"I came to Rome with a view to getting better prepared for Euro 2008, but that is still a long way away.

"I need to do well at Lazio because I am fighting for my place in the team."