Source: Northern_Echo
Robert has eyes on a Magpies return
NEWCASTLE UNITED'S latest French import has paved the way for Laurent Robert to make a shock return to St James' Park.[LNB] Robert, in talks with Paris St Germain after spending the last couple of months training with them, helped convince Fabrice Pancrate to move to Tyneside.[LNB] Now Pancrate, who made his Newcastle debut in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Swansea, has been looking to return the favour in the hope he will joined in the North- East by his close friend.[LNB] The Magpies' latest signing has given Chris Hughton his compatriot's phone number and now Robert is hoping that something concrete will develop in the next few days.[LNB] Pancrate said: Laurent told me he would like to come back here. If it could happen he would say yes. That's what he said to me. He loves the club.[LNB] I spoke to the manager to tell him that Laurent would like to come back and he is available. I gave him his number.[LNB] I don't know what has happened since then.[LNB] Robert has been a free agent since leaving Greek side Larissa at the end of last season but has been staying fit by training with Paris St Germain.[LNB] It is more than four years since Robert quit Newcastle after spending five years under Sir Bobby Robson. He left under a cloud and it is somehat surprising the 34- year-old is keen to return.[LNB] I knew of the club (Newcastle) in France, said Pancrate.[LNB] There was a big French connection with Newcastle and that made it a lot easier for me. I feel like there is a great relationship between Newcastle and French players.[LNB] We all know about David Ginola and Laurent Robert, but there have also been many others. That made it an easy decision when I was offered a contract.[LNB] I had a lot of conversations with Laurent and he told me about how amazing this city was, how incredible the fans are and how much I would enjoy my time here. As soon as I walked through the doors I realised he was right.[LNB] I haven't really had time to see the city because I have been looking for a house and sorting myself out, but the club astounds me. It's a massive club, one of the biggest in England, even though I have just come out of Paris St Germain I can see that.[LNB] The reason Pancrate opted against committing to PSG for a further year, having signed for £2m in 2005, was because he harboured hopes of playing in England, particularly the Premier League.[LNB] With Newcastle top of the Championship that dream could still come true and the club's cause could yet be strengthened by the signature of former England defender Sol Campbell.[LNB] Campbell has ended his contract dispute with Notts County and is free to sign for a new club in January and he had claimed: I have a few clubs tabling offers at the moment, but one of them doesn't seem to be Newcastle now.[LNB] But Newcastle boss Hughton remains an admirer of the 35-year-old and refused to rule out a deal being struck for the centre-back in the new year, particularly if Zurab Khizanishvili returns to Blackburn.[LNB]
