MARCELINO DETERMINED TO MAKE MARK

The Spanish defender was signed from Mallorca for £5 million by former United boss Ruud Gullit in the summer of 1999, but has started just 15 league games for the North East outfit in this time.

"I want everybody to know that I am going nowhere and I am working harder than ever to persuade the gaffer I can make a go of it here," Marcelino said.

"There have been a lot of rumours this summer linking me with one club and another, but I have made my mind up to stay at Newcastle, and I am fighting for my place.''

Bobby Robson also tipped the 29-year-old Spaniard to succeed in the forthcoming season, insisting he has the tools to be one of The Premiership's best defenders.

"He was a big player - he is a big player," Robson said. "The first game of last year away to Manchester United, we thought we'd try to play a bit clever and get a point.

"We played with three centre halves that day - Alain Goma, Nikos Dabizas and Marcelino - and Marcelino, as it happens, was the best of the three on that day, make no mistake about that.

"He played very well against Leeds when we beat Leeds 2-1. He played against Mark Viduka and put him in his pocket. That's his capabilities.

"We won 2-1 and Viduka was on the day quelled by Marcelino, quite honestly and technically. He handled him very well.''