Viana adds to Robson's problems

NEWS: January was expected to be a quiet month at St James' Park but developments over the weekend suggest Newcastle United could be busy, if not in bringing in new recruits such as Alan Smith from Leeds then appeasing those already at the club.

Hugo Viana yesterday added to the recent complaints of Lomana LuaLua and Nolberto Solano when the Portuguese midfielder said it is in his interests to leave Newcastle.

Viana, who will be 21 in January, joined Newcastle from Sporting Lisbon for £8.5 million 17 months ago but has not made the impact expected of a player rated as the continent's most promising by a panel of European coaches.

Viana has made just two starts this season and is perturbed by the prospect of not being involved in Portugal's European Championship squad. In Portugal for the draw, Viana said: "I don't feel well, physically or mentally. The last two games I have played in have gone badly. I have to find another club if I want to play in Euro 2004. Any club would please me - all that interests me is to play well and feel right.

"To play for Newcastle would be the best option, but as I'm not I'd be happy to leave. The priority is to get into the senior international team and I'm going to fight for that."

Bobby Robson is likely to be irritated by Viana's comments, just as he was by LuaLua's, Solano's and in the past Laurent Robert's. Realistically, however, Viana is not a Premiership midfielder, and though it would be a dent in Robson's pride to admit that, Newcastle could use any money they received for Viana to fund the two purchases Robson has spoken about recently.

Robson said he has identified the two positions Newcastle need to have strengthened and undoubtedly finding a striker to play alongside Alan Shearer - and to eventually replace him - is a priority.

Smith's situation at Leeds will be governed by the state of the club's finances by January, but if Leeds do go into administration Newcastle will seek to get Smith as cheaply as possible. A fee as low as £2 million has been mentioned but with clubs such as Liverpool and Aston Villa with cash to spend in January, Newcastle may have rivals.