Toon boss may keep Routledge

03 July 2011 19:16
ewcastle boss Alan Pardew has hinted that winger Wayne Routledge could still have a future on Tyneside, despite interest from several clubs.[LNB] A permanent return to QPR fell through last month while Nottingham Forest, Birmingham and Cardiff are all understood to be interested in the 26-year-old.[LNB]Routledge starred for the Magpies as they romped to the Championship title in 2009/10 but failed to continue that form in the Premier League last season and was sent on loan to QPR.[LNB]However, it is thought that Routledge, who is under contract until 2013, would prefer to stay at St James' Park and fight for his place.[LNB]And while Pardew is still willing to sell the former Crystal Palace trainee, he has indicated that he will give Routledge a chance to impress after he returns for pre-season training on Monday.[LNB]He told the Chronicle: "Has Wayne a future here? Wayne is still a Newcastle United player and he is under contract.[LNB]"He comes back on Monday. After that we will just have to go from there."[LNB]The arrival of Sylvain Marveaux means Routledge will face even greater competition with Jonas Gutierrez, Joey Barton, Dan Gosling and Danny Guthrie are capable of playing out wide.[LNB]Pardew has also made Leon Best, Nile Ranger and Alan Smith available for transfer.

Source: Team_Talk