Magpies avoid Bellamy bust-up with extra lay-off

Newcastle today moved to head off a tense reunion between errant striker Craig Bellamy and manager Graeme Souness when they handed the Welshman an extra week off.

The club is expected to confirm later this morning the 25-year-old - who was due to return to pre-season training with his Magpies’ colleagues following the end of his loan spell at Celtic - will now have another seven days in which to win a transfer away from St James’ Park.