MAGPIES DEMAND MARCELINO TALKS
The St James' Park hierarchy have lost patience with the £6 million signing from Real Mallorca for his constant injury problems, and they look set to sell him when the Spanish transfer window reopens in December.
Marcelino, who was signed by former Magpies boss Ruud Gullit last July, has made just 16 appearances for Newcastle and he has not featured since dislocating his finger on the opening day of the season.
Club chairman Freddy Shepherd wants the future of the Spanish international, who is currently sidelined with a groin strain, decided immediately and has sent for Marcelino's agent to discuss the situation.
"This is just not good enough and enough is enough," said Shepherd. "Certainly it is not what we expected when Ruud Gullit signed Marcelino from Real Mallorca.
"We have asked Marcelino's agent to come across from Spain this week so we can discuss ways of sorting this all out.
"We are looking for constructive discussion and want to take this forward.
"What is particularly frustrating is that Marcelino has proved he is a good player when he has been out there."
La Liga pair Deportivo La Coruna and Celta Vigo are reported to be interested in taking the 29-year-old player back to Spain, and it is likely that he will be placed on the transfer list.
Bobby Robson has a ready-made replacement lined up in Tenerife`s Pablo Paz, who had a successful trial on Tyneside recently, but the ex-England boss is hoping that the asking price on the Argentinian`s head is reduced before completing any swoop.
