Newcastle United Football Club

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52193

Magpies plan without Viduka

19 Dec 2008 - 07:30:02

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Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear expects to lose Mark Viduka to retirement at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old Australia international's 18-month spell with the Magpies has been blighted by injury problems and Kinnear is not planning on having him around next season.

Viduka's current deal expires in the summer and, unlike fellow out-of-contract first-teamers Michael Owen, Steve Harper, Nicky Butt and Shola Ameobi, the striker has not been offered fresh terms.

"The word around the club when I first arrived was that he was retiring and going back to Australia at the end of the season," Kinnear told the Evening Chronicle.

Viduka arrived at St James' Park on a free transfer from Middlesbrough in June 2007 and has netted seven goals in 30 appearances for the Magpies.