LAURENT Robert last night confirmed he will be looking to leave Newcastle this summer. But after launching yet another attack on Graeme Souness, the maverick Magpie claimed that he wants to stay in the Premiership.

Robert effectively ended his Newcastle career when he attacked Souness' managerial methods in the build-up to the second leg of last month's ill-fated UEFA Cup quarter-final with Sporting Lisbon.

After that, the French winger started just two games, despite an injury crisis that robbed United of some of their most experienced midfielders.

He was an unused substitute as Newcastle ended their season with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday, but that did not stop him bidding farewell to the club's fans with a surprise striptease following the final whistle.

That act now looks like being his last at St James' Park and, after admitting that his relationship with Souness has deteriorated beyond the point of no return, Robert is desperate to secure a move away from Tyneside this summer.

That might not be as simple as it sounds, with chairman Freddy Shepherd keen to recoup a healthy percentage of the £10.5m he paid to sign the Reunion Islander in August 2001.

Most prospective suitors will be reluctant to pay anything like that. But rather than letting him rot in the reserves Robert has claimed that it would make more financial sense for Newcastle to grant him a free transfer.

"I don't play any more so they don't need me," claimed the flamboyant Frenchman, who celebrates his 30th birthday on Saturday. "They should let me go for free.

"If they prevent me from leaving I will stay, but I don't think it's in the club's interest to pay me for nothing.

"I played for the whole season and then, suddenly, nothing else. Souness didn't tell me anything, but he has trouble with a lot of players.

"I want to leave Newcastle. Going on with Souness, it is not possible. I still have one year remaining on my contract, but I think the Newcastle officials will let me leave."

Robert's repeated run-ins with his boss have undermined his position at St James', but they are unlikely to put off prospective employers who will point to last season's five goals and numerous assists as evidence of his undoubted talent.

Robert's former club Paris St Germain are interested in taking him back to France, while Spanish sides Valencia and Sevilla have been linked with a move for the midfielder in the past.

But, while he will be keeping his options open in the next few months, Robert would prefer to move to another club in the Premiership.

"Several clubs have an interest in me," he said. "It is not concrete yet, but I have no worries.

"We never know what can happen, but I don't want to go back to France. There are some contacts in Spain but, above all, in England. I like the Premiership a lot and my family have adapted well."

Souness has reiterated Craig Bellamy will never play for him again as he sets his sights on seeing out his Magpies contract.

The pair were embroiled in a very public and bitter bust-up that resulted in the Wales international striker being loaned out to Celtic in January.

Souness insists the matter cannot be resolved, adding: ''As a manager you have to try to get the best out of the players you've got, but if someone continually steps over the line and threatens to ruin the harmony within the group he has to go.

''I asked myself at the time, and since then, whether I could have handled the situation any differently. Every time I come up with the same answer - no.

''Our dressing room is a healthier place. I think the players have a far clearer picture of what is and what is not acceptable as long as I am manager and we no longer have players who walk off the training ground when it suits them. I think we now have a group of players who understand the way I want to work."