“As far as I’m concerned, we’re losing the best central defender in the country,” said Magpies manager Sir Bobby Robson. “That’s my opinion. He’s a big player and I don’t want to lose him — of course I don’t — but it’s also a huge sum of money, a huge profit and there’s also a moral issue. Do we deny him this opportunity? This has come out of the blue, but we know what we’ll be missing and we know what we have to replace. The money will be spent wisely.”
Kieron Dyer has apoligised for his refusal to play right midfield.