Toon waiting on Lua Lua

Lua Lua is in the middle of a highly successful loan spell at Portsmouth, but the Fratton Park outfit have given their consent for the Congo forward to return to Tyneside after securing their own Premiership status.

Despite Newcastle being gripped by a horrendous injury crisis, Lua Lua is said to be reluctant to return to the North East despite a personal plea from Magpies chief Sir Bobby Robson.

The forward is still smarting at his treatment by The Magpies earlier in the season and is unsure about whether he wants to end his spell at Fratton Park with two games remaining.

Pompey have been delighted with the commitment of Lua Lua and say they would like to keep him permanently.

Seemingly in a bid to smooth the waters for a possible transfer in the summer, Pompey have agreed to end the loan early.

If Newcastle can persuade Lua Lua to return he could yet be flown out to Marseille for the second leg of their Uefa Cup semi-final with Jose Anigo's men, but whether he will figure is not yet clear.

Steve Caldwell recently returned to Newcastle from Leeds and Robson will hope to make it a double boost by persuading Lua Lua to come back.