Magpies’ hunt for centre-back goes on as Van Buyten bid collapses

NEWCASTLE manager Sir Bobby Robson was last night back at square one in his bid to strengthen his defence after pulling the plug on a move for Daniel van Buyten.

The Magpies are understood to have given up on the 24-year-old Belgian after Marseille refused to answer the club's calls suggesting claims they were not prepared to sell the player were more than mere gamesmanship.

And having seen any attempt to lure Jonathan Woodgate away from Leeds fail, the Magpies, yesterday also linked with Rangers' Lorenzo Amoruso, have started to look elsewhere amid fears they may have to wait until the summer to bolster their resources.