IF Stuart Pearce’s reign as England manager comes to an abrupt end before Euro 2012, he will at least have the consolation of returning to his regular role with the Young Lions in rude health.Read
KEVIN Phillips pauses for a moment. He’s just ruled out ever donning the famous red and white again but when the impact of golden oldies Paul Scholes and Thierry Henry is pointed out, it’s almost as if a switch is flicked in his head.Read
A BAD thing for Sunderland but a good thing for Niall Quinn. That is Kevin Phillips’ verdict on his former strike partner finally severing ties with the Black Cats last week, some 15 years after they terrorised defences together in red and white.Read
JONAS Gutiérrez has kicked off the countdown to Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby by insisting out-of-sorts Newcastle United still have the belief to down their biggest rivals.Read
AT quarter to four on Saturday Newcastle United – courtesy of their own flying start against Wolves and Chelsea’s continued benevolence – had snuck into the top-four bracket reserved for the Champions League elite.Read
ALAN Pardew admitted his midfield ‘icons’ had faltered against Wolves – before predicting they would regain their bite against the Black Cats this weekend.Read
CHEICK Tiote’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for Newcastle United. Mark Douglas reports on a comeback that will re-energise United’s European tilt.Read
RUTHLESS Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will give his big hitters an immediate recall for his side’s crunch clash with Wolves – urging them that “now is the time” to grab the initiative in the chase for Europe.Read
WHATEVER the outcome of this uplifting season for Newcastle United, they have already collected one accolade that seemed unlikely in the summer – respect.Read
Mark Douglas is a sports writer who covers a wide range of sports in the North East. He moved to the region in March 2008 after working for the Wolverhampton Express and Star.
