Sure fire way of pissing Nobby off but we need him right now. One thing, how many games can Nobby miss before a work permit application would be uncertain, given the uncertainty surrounding his passport we may need him to play for his country in order to get the work permit, if needed..

Bobby Robson has told Nol Solano that it will cost him 25 per cent of his wages if he wants to revive his international career with Peru. The winger has been called up by his country for a friendly against Honduras in Miami next week and wants to play. That would mean he would fly out before Newcastle's game at Everton and Saturday - which Robson insists will happen "over my dead body!" If Solano was to start playing for Peru again, he would miss several of Newcastle's remaining games this season. And Robson blasted: "As far as I am concerned, Nobby will be going to Miami next week over my dead body. "If he does go and returns to international football it will mean that he will miss about 10 of our matches in the immediate future. "That represents 25 per cent of our Premiership matches and he has got to ask himself if he wants 25 per cent of his wages deducted."

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2001

Answers

robbo being tough - good

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2001

but there have been so many of them "missing" in recent games

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2001

Best check if he qualifies for a work permit as a foreign player if he doesn't play in these games, because his current passport is obviously hookie. Might find he's got to leave to be able to stay - if you get my drift.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2001