Magpies look for Rozehnal interest

Mar 27 2008 by Craig McIntosh, The Journal

NEWCASTLE United will have to find a buyer for centre-back David Rozehnal in the summer as Lazio are unlikely to take up an option to sign the Czech Republic international at the end of the season.

Rozehnal moved on loan to the Italian club in January after Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan was unable to guarantee him regular first-team football in his preferred position in the centre of defence.

The defender, who was signed by former manager Sam Allardyce from French club Paris Saint-Germain for £2.9m, argued he needed to be playing every week so that he held on to his place in the Czech squad for Euro 2008.

But, while Keegan was sympathetic to his request, the 27-year-old has failed to become a regular starter in Rome and it is highly unlikely he will be offered a permanent contract when his temporary one ends in June.

He has made a handful of appearances at the Olympic Stadium, of which only three have been starts. Disappointingly, Rozehnal had actually looked an impressive acquisition at the start of the season as Newcastle enjoyed their best start to a league campaign for 11 years.

But the former Club Brugge prospect, who made 21 appearances for Newcastle before leaving for Italy, struggled with the physical side of the game and was replaced in the centre of defence by Steven Taylor and Abdoulaye Faye.

As a result, Keegan will almost certainly look to offload the defender when he does return to England, although it remains to be seen whether there is anyone willing to match the fee it took to bring him to the North East.

German side Borussia Dortmund and Spain's Uefa Cup holders Seville were both reported to be interested in Rozehnal last summer, but his failure in England may mean he has fewer admirers.

Indeed, with that in mind, Keegan will hope the defender does play for the Czech Republic in the European Championships so that he is in the "shop window" when the transfer market re-opens.

Meanwhile, Newcastle transfer target Sam Vokes has confirmed United's effort to sign him but he will not be leaving League One club Bournemouth until the summer. The 18-year-old, who has scored 11 times in his first season in senior football, said: "I have been told by the manager that clubs are interested in me, and with the administration it seems that I will be sold eventually.

“I know that Newcastle have shown interest, the gaffer called me in and told me that.

"But I do not expect anything now until the summer, so my aim is to do my very best for Bournemouth and hope that we can get out of trouble.”