Robson seeks to clarify future at St James' Park

Newcastle 0 Sporting Lisbon 1

Robson's contract runs out at the end of the campaign and Shepherd this weekend confirmed the 71-year-old former England manager will not be offered a new deal, adding the club would be "in the Guinness Book of Records" if Robson was manager at 73.

However, Robson said: "All I can tell you is that I'm unaware of anything that's been written, and until I find out the situation it would be inappropriate to comment on that."

Robson claimed he was unaware of Shepherd's comments and said: "You've shocked me, you've come at me out of the blue. I wish to address the whole situation with the chairman face-to-face, then issue what we have to issue. I need a dialogue with the chairman."

Robson was speaking after watching his side lose 1-0 to Sporting Lisbon in the final of the Newcastle-Gateshead Cup at St James' Park.

The home side lost out to a 33rd-minute Rodrigo Tello goal but the locals did, at least, get a chance to see Patrick Kluivert make his debut following his move from Barcelona.

The Dutch international has only been on Tyneside for seven days and is still, as Robson admits, some way short of match fitness.

But he still caused difficulties for the Sporting defence after replacing Alan Shearer for the last half hour.

"He's got to play a lot further up. He wanted to come deep to get a touch of the ball but he did play well," added Robson.

Nicky Butt, signed from Manchester United last week, also made a second-half appearance but Robson did not have immediate expectations of either player.

He said: "Neither Kluivert nor Butt were going to electrify the crowd today because they've only been at the club a week.

"They're not in their best condition by a long, long way. When Kluivert came last Monday, that was his first day's training for three-and-a-half weeks.

"Nicky Butt has done five days with Manchester United out in America and then got on a plane last Monday.

"We saw him on Thursday and he's been out of training."

Robson will want to get Kluivert fit soon as he rates Shearer, who started both games this weekend, as his only fit striker.

Craig Bellamy, missing after scoring against Rangers on Saturday, continues to struggle with tendinitis and Robson revealed that Shola Ameobi is labouring with a back injury.

"You've seen him give half a performance today because he only has half a back," the manager added.

"He's not got the greatest of movements and he's lost a bit of pace on the sprint.

"So he's a bit of a worry for us so we've only got one really fit striker at the moment and that's Alan.

"You saw Alan today and it's difficult for Alan to play two games in two days at this level."