KETSBAIA IN GREEK LINK

Ketsbaia has failed to command a regular first team place under Bobby Robson’s management and PAOK coach Dusan Bajevic is keen to bring the 32-year-old to Greece in a bid to bolster his side’s challenge for honours next season.

If the forward were to make the move, it would be a second association with Bajevic after he took Ketsbaia to AEK Athens in 1994.

The one stumbling block could be the fee, with Robson keen to hold out for £1.5 million, but the Greek outfit are said to value the player at almost half that figure.

Despite Ketsbaia’s affinity to the North East, where his family have settled into the lifestyle, he may be prepared to move to the Mediterranean if it will mean he can secure first team status now that he is approaching the veteran stage of his career.

Ketsbaia could, however, stay in England if a Premiership club move for him in the close season. Robson confirmed that he turned down a bid on transfer deadline day because the offer was well short of his valuation.