Newcastle United FC

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• Manager:Alan Pardew

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Viduka wants Magpies stay

02 Dec 2008 - 11:08:30

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Newcastle United striker Mark Viduka is hoping to earn a contract extension to remain at St James' Park for a further season.

Viduka, 33, made his comeback from a season-long Achilles injury as a substitute during Saturday's goalless draw with Middlesbrough.

The Australia striker is out of contract at the end of the current season and, although admitting the uncertainty surrounding Mike Ashley's protracted sale of the club and the managerial comings and goings are a distraction, he would like to remain on Tyneside.

"I love playing for and living in Newcastle and would love to stay," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"Whatever happens with the club I like being involved and would love to stay another year.

"But I'm not thinking about that. I'm just thinking about getting back.

"We need to get together and forget about all the distractions off the field and start to play as a team.

"For the past however many months it's been all over the place all the time.

"I think the appointment of Joe Kinnear is a good thing because we now know who is in charge for the next six months at least.

"Hopefully we can get together and start to function as a team and it will be difficult to beat us.

"I think we have the players to do it. Once we do start playing we can beat anybody."