Portugese defender Cristavao Helder has ruled out a return to Newcastle. The international full-back spent much of last season on loan at St James Park and impressed Bobby Robson so much that he was reported to be lining up an attempt to make the move permanent.

Robson would have needed around #3million to prise him away from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna, but Helder has ruled out a return the North East.

After spending much of last season struggling with injury, he has figured in all Deportivo's pre-season friendlies and will ignore Robson's interest in an attempt to revive his La Liga career.

Helder said: "The management at Newcastle are counting on me to go back by I am waiting for my chance at Coruna.

"This is an important year for the club and me. We are competing in the Champions League for the first time and getting back in the Portugal national team is also an objective for me."

I'm not confident about our defence this season. A good defence would get us through the Bardford and West Ham type games when we lose leads, and ensure we finish higher than last year.

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2000

Answers

maybe he can bring Marcelino back round? He WAS good and so although we've had failures we could bring him round. I'm not surprised Old Christobel wants to see if he can get into the CL team, it would be an amazing experience that we can't offer...

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2000

Maybe he'll change his tune after Deprotivo go out of the CL? And by then Bobby should have a bit more money at his disposal.

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2000

I noticed YBR played Sid the Sexist in the Feyennord game, was this a 'put in the shop window' exercise?

It was reported a couple of weeks ago that YBR told Sid he had no part to play? Persevere I say.

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2000