June 06 2008
Newcastle are finalising plans to take part in a pre-season tournament in Majorca.


The Magpies are yet to confirm their itinerary for the build-up to the new campaign, but it has already been reported in the Balearics that they will take part in a four-team Summer International Tournament along with hosts Real Mallorca and German Bundesliga sides Hertha Berlin and Hannover 96.

Manchester City had been pencilled in before their qualification for the UEFA Cup via the Fair Play League, and Hannover have been lined up as their replacements.

The tournament will take place between August 1 and 3 at the Ono Stadium just outside Palma.

It will not be the first time the Magpies have visited the island - they won a UEFA Cup tie 3-0 there in March 2004 courtesy of an Alan Shearer double and Craig Bellamy's strike after taking a 4-1 first-leg lead to Majorca.

Of the men who played that night, only Shay Given, Steven Taylor - who made his senior debut as a substitute - and Shola Ameobi remain at the club, while Steve Harper was on the bench.

Newcastle went on to defeat PSV Eindhoven in the last eight before missing out on the final as a result of Didier Drogba's two goals in the decisive second leg of the semi-final in Marseille.

However, those memories will have long faded for the men who were there by the time they return to the holiday island with their minds set firmly on the new season.

Manager Kevin Keegan will hope to have the majority of his summer recruits on board by the time the Majorca trip comes around, although progress on the front to date has been slow.

Keegan, like his players, is currently on holiday having agreed a list of targets with executive director (football) Dennis Wise and vice-president (player recruitment) Tony Jimenez as last season drew to a close.

The club's well-publicised failed bid to land Croatian star Luka Modric perhaps underlined the difficulties they could face, and although little significant transfer business has taken place anywhere yet, with the deadline for season ticket renewals having been extended to June 22 because of a delay in issuing forms, a statement of intent could be required.

Inevitably, a club with a reputation for investing heavily in the past has been linked with an ever-growing list of potential recruits in recent weeks.

The latest names to be added include Paris St Germain's 21-year-old midfielder Didier Digard and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, a man about whom former chairman Freddy Shepherd inquired last summer.

Mark Hughes' arrival at Manchester City may have a major impact on the chances of any club prising the Republic of Ireland international Richard Dunne away from Eastlands, while Carlisle have tied up promising 17-year-old striker Gary Madine on a new three-year contract amid speculation that the Magpies were on his trail.

The club's efforts to rebuild the squad are being carried out against the backdrop of a financial clampdown as owner Mike Ashley attempts to control spending on transfer fees and wages.

Keegan has already reduced the wage bill by releasing Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage and James Troisi, while the club has agreed to sell Turkey midfielder Emre to Fenerbahce.

However, that has reduced an already small squad further and he will hope reinforcements are on their way soon if he is to continue the recovery he inspired towards the end of last season.

Meanwhile, the club has revealed it is to name a hospitality suite at St James' Park after former manager Sir Bobby Robson following the success of its Club 206, launched last season to mark Shearer's club record goals tally.

Legendary striker Jackie Milburn and 1969 Fairs Cup winning manager and captain Joe Harvey and Bob Moncur will be similarly honoured.