Another Argentinian at Newcastle to add to the South American haven already in force. Soon we will have an interpretor for Shearer never mind Cordone or Bassedas. This lad had better be good because if we are buying him he should be better than any centre back we have at the club, no point in buying a squad player is there?

Bobby Robson will step up his interest in Argentine international centre-back Pablo Paz this week after being given the go-ahead by chairman Freddy Shepherd.

The Newcastle boss is keen to act in the wake of Saturday's home defeat by arch-rivals Sunderland, when injuries forced him to pit inexperienced youngster Steve Caldwell against Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips.

Paz is unhappy at Tenerife, who were relegated last season, and has impressed on two trips to train with Newcastle.

Tenerife want £2.5million for the 25-year-old defender, who would leap at the chance to join his countrymen Christian Bassedas and Daniel Cordone at St James' Park.

However, it would come as no surprise if Shepherd, who has done well for the club this season in negotiating both incoming and outgoing deals, gets his man at a much-reduced fee.

Newcastle have also made inquiries about Wimbledon's Republic of Ireland full-back Kenny Cunningham but a centre-back is Robson's No 1 priority.

-- Anonymous, November 21, 2000

Answers

That figures.

Buy two defenders whose clubs were relegated last season...

bah. Give the young uns the chance.

-- Anonymous, November 21, 2000