DAMIEN DUFF is convinced he has joined a club going places after signing a three-year deal at Fulham.

NEWCASTLE’S players returned for pre-season training yesterday amid hopes that a breakthrough off the field could be just days away.

TALKS over Alan Shearer’s future continued yesterday amid renewed speculation that owner Mike Ashley could sell the club.

Alan Shearer remains in talks with Newcastle about extending his stay as manager.

ALAN SHEARER flexed his muscles in uncompromising style yesterday to effectively signal the end of Joey Barton’s Newcastle career.

Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear insists he will not punish Andy Carroll and Charles N’Zogbia after they were involved in a training ground bust-up.

Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan is reportedly on the brink of leaving the club today after holding a meeting with club owner Mike Ashley.

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce made his first transfer breakthrough of the summer last night when he persuaded Joey Barton his future was on Tyneside.

Joey Barton was undergoing a medical at Newcastle this afternoon as the Magpies attempted to push through a £5.5m deal for the Manchester City midfielder.

Newcastle striker Michael Owen is "50-50" to make his comeback against Chelsea on Sunday.

England striker Michael Owen was back in the hands of Newcastle’s medical team today as they attempted to assess the full extent of the damage to his knee.

Newcastle have confirmed that Craig Bellamy has been given an extra week before he is expected to return to pre-season training as the race for his signature intensifies.

Newcastle today handed striker Craig Bellamy an £80,000 (€115,000) fine and branded him a fool for stepping up his row with manager Graeme Souness.

Work was continuing today to stamp out a highly-contagious eye infection which is threatening to blight the start of Newcastle’s season.