From the Shields Gazette 9 May

TRIPLE BLOW FOR ROBSON

BOBBY Robson's summer spending plans have suffered a triple blow. Leeds United were today poised to capture #8.5m Lens midfielder Oliver Dacourt, who had been top of Robson's shopping list. And the Newcastle boss's hopes of adding to his #15m war chest were hit when Norwich City decided to let midfield rejects Des Hamilton and Garry Brady return to St James's Park. Dacourt is ready to sign for Leeds, and though the Elland Road club will announce a fee of #7.5m, I understand that they will have to find an extra #1m on top. The Frenchman's decision may shock the Toon Army. But the harsh truth is that Newcastle no longer have the pulling power of the Kevin Keegan era. And the fee represents half of robson's entire pre-season budget. Now the Magpies will look at other targets, and Bolton striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is now the top priority. Chelsea are the latest club to show an interest in the Icelander. But nothing can happen until Bolton's fate is decided in the Division One promotion play-offs. Robson had been hoping to raise money from the sales of transfer-listed Hamilton and Brady, who cost a combined #2m under Kenny Dalglish, but neither even made the bench for City's final match at Bolton on Saturday. It means that United have still to receive a single cash offer for any of the players made available in February, a dazzling indictment of the buying records of both Dalglish and Ruud Gullit. Meanwhile, Nicos Dabizas has been given compassionate leave by the club to return to Greece folowing the death of his father. Robson has told Dabizas to stay in his homeland as long as necessary following the bereavement, and Newcastle will let Dabizas decide for himself if he is OK to play in Sunday's finale to the season at home to Arsenal. Fellow defdender Steve Howey is due to make his comeback tonight when the Reserves end their season at Leeds United.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000