Robson in double bid for Woodgate and Kleberson

NEWCASTLE boss Bobby Robson last night confirmed that the club has launched a double bid to take Jonathan Woodgate and Kleberson to St James’ Park.

Newcastle United have contacted Leeds and Brazilian side Atletico Paranaense to make initial inquiries over the two men, who have been the subject of intense speculation in recent days.

"All I can confirm to you now is that the club have actually made communication to both clubs in respect of the two players concerned," he said.

Robson's hunt for a top-class central defender has been no secret, and nor has the identity of the man at the top of his list, and while his interest in 23-year-old Kleberson has come as more of a surprise, he has insisted all along that he wants to add as much depth to his squad as chairman Freddy Shepherd's chequebook will allow. "I like Andy O'Brien very much, and (Nikos) Dabizas and (Steve) Caldwell on Saturday didn't let us down by any manner of means, and they're both very good players," he said.

"But I still feel we need one more. But we will not buy for the sake of buying".

Shepherd was in Brazil yesterday for a meeting with Atletico president Mario Celso Petraglia over World Cup winner Kleberson amid reports that Champions League opponents Bayer Leverkusen and Italian side Roma have joined Leeds in the hunt for the £5 million-rated midfielder. But all the talk on Tyneside was of Elland Road defender Woodgate, who has been at the centre of speculation that he was Robson's number one target since the transfer window reopened earlier this month.

Leeds have insisted they have received no bid for Woodgate, who is 23 today, and have played down suggestions that they have lined up Arsenal's Matthew Upson as a replacement.

But the Magpies believe there may be a weakening of the West Yorkshire club's resolve following the collapse of Robbie Fowler's proposed £7.5 million transfer to Manchester City last week. Seth Johnson's impending move to Middlesbrough the 23-year-old was on Teesside yesterday to discuss a £4 million move to the Riverside Stadium could provide some respite from the financial problems currently blighting Terry

Venables.

But now Newcastle have made their move, the decision could ultimately be taken out of his hands, as in the case of Rio Ferdinand's switch to Manchester United during the summer. United's ability to target a player who would cost them in the region of £10 million is a direct result of their relative success in this season's Champions League, and the latest chance to move a step closer to ensuring a second bite at that particular cherry comes tonight when struggling Bolton head for St James' Park.

Newcastle go into the game lying third in the Barclaycard Premiership table and knowing an 11th successive home win would close the gap to Manchester United in second to two points, with leaders Arsenal a further five points ahead. Bolton boss Sam Allardyce will give Michael Ricketts the chance to impress potential suitors despite admitting he was disappointed by the striker's transfer request this week.

Ricketts' written request landed on Allardyce's desk on Monday but as yet only Tottenham have officially enquired about the £6 million-rated player.

The former England man is still expected to start tonight.

Allardyce now has 14 days to step up his search for new striking talent although he insisted that Ricketts will not be allowed to leave if he is not able to land a replacement.

This week he took French duo Pierre-Yves Andre and Florent Laville on a week's trial and has also not ruled out a player exchange deal for Ricketts which in Spurs' case could involve Gary Doherty or Tim Sherwood.