Atouba linked with Magpies

Former Tottenham defender Thimothee Atouba has been left out of Hamburg’s squad this weekend after being linked with Barclays Premier League side Newcastle.

Atouba, according to Hamburg, had been set to travel to England today to undergo a medical at St James’ Park, but instead turned up for training with the Bundesliga side.

A statement on Hamburg’s official website, www.hsv.de, read: “He [Atouba] originally wanted to travel to England on Friday to undergo a medical with Premier League club Newcastle United, but then surprisingly turned up at team training.

“Because the Cameroonian’s future is unclear, coach Martin Jol has removed him from the squad for (Arminia) Bielefeld.”

Atouba, 26, joined Spurs in 2004 but spent only one season at White Hart Lane.