TOTTENHAM are ready to test Newcastle's resolve by tabling an improved £7.2m offer for much-admired midfielder Jermaine Jenas.

The London club have already been in contact with the Magpies, only to have had their original advances rebuffed when they raised the possibility of a £6m bid seven days ago.

But, with speculation over Jenas' future continuing to mount, Spurs boss Martin Jol will up his original offer by another £1.2m to see just how highly Newcastle rate one of their prize midfield assets.

Jenas is expected to hold talks with both Magpies manager Graeme Souness and chairman Freddy Shepherd when he returns to pre-season training next Monday.

The England international is not looking for a move away from St James' Park but is understood to be concerned at how the recent signing of Scott Parker is likely to impact upon his first-team chances next season.

Parker's arrival has swelled an already over-subscribed midfield unit that also includes Kieron Dyer, Lee Bowyer, Nicky Butt, Charles N'Zogbia and Amdy Faye.

Jenas' position at the club was called into question by Laurent Robert earlier this week, with the Portsmouth-bound winger claiming his former team-mate was being forced out of Newcastle.

That comment was quickly rebuffed by United officials, who yesterday stressed the 22-year-old would be going nowhere this summer.

"Jermaine signed a five-year contract until 2008," said a club statement. "The player is not for sale and the club has no reason to believe that the player is unhappy.

"The club is furious over Robert's recent outbursts, which are clearly designed to be disruptive within the club.

"Nevertheless, Newcastle United are also clear in their view that Jermaine is here for the long term and that Robert - still a contracted player for Newcastle United - should keep his opinions to himself."

Nevertheless, Spurs are hoping to pile further pressure on the Magpies by tabling a formal bid of more than £7m within the next 48 hours.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has assured Jol there is money to spend following Frank Arnesen's controversial departure to Chelsea and, with Arsenal and Manchester United also monitoring Jenas' situation closely, the Dutchman is ready to make a concerted push for the former Nottingham Forest midfielder.

* Newcastle will open contract talks with teenage defender Steven Taylor when he returns to pre-season training next week.

The 19-year-old's emergence was one of the few high points of last season, as he filled in at right-back in the absence of Stephen Carr and also covered for Titus Bramble at centre-half.

A clause in Taylor's existing deal promises a renegotiation after 20 appearances, and the defender made his 23rd in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on the final day of last

* Hearts have appointed George Burley as their new head coach.

* Brighton have used part of their £250,000 Coca-Cola windfall to sign Colin Kazim-Richards from Bury. Albion received the money as part of Coca-Cola's Win A Player competition and he has signed a three-year contract.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.