GARETH Barry last night admitted he is flattered by speculation linking him with a move to Newcastle United.

Manager Graeme Souness is set to make wholesale changes at St James' Park at the end of the season and Barry has been identified as the answer to United's problematic left hand side.

Souness is believed to be disappointed with the impact made by Celestine Babayaro following his move from Chelsea in the January transfer window after he was asked to fill the void left by Southampton-bound Olivier Bernard. And with left winger Laurent Robert set to leave the club in the summer, Souness is short of options on the left.

The Aston Villa midfielder can operate at both left-back, left midfield and centre back, and the United boss is said to be attracted by that versatility.

Barry is keen to test himself against the best in Europe and is believed to be frustrated by Villa's attempts to secure a UEFA Cup place since he joined the club.

He said: "I signed the contract at Villa to play European football but this year has gone.

"This season was another chance which slipped away. We were so unlucky last year because it was a very good season. Sixth would have got us in the UEFA Cup this year."

Although the Magpies are in a similar situation to the Villains they have entered the much maligned Intertoto Cup, which could offer Barry a route to European football next season.

The Villa vice-captain still has three years remaining on his contract and although he insists he is happy to stay at the club, an opportunity to play at St James' Park in front of 52,000 fans is a proposition most players will find hard to turn down - as Souness once commented.

Barry said: "I signed my contract to play at Villa. But it's another confidence booster if clubs like Newcastle are showing an interest.

"How true it is, I'm not sure. If there is anything in it I'll be the last to hear about it."

Meanwhile, United chairman Freddie Shepherd has insisted loan stars Craig Bellamy and Hugo Viana must report back to St James Park, along with their fellow team-mates for pre-season training.

Shepherd says if no one matches United's valuation of the players both will have to return to Tyneside next month.

"We have contractual obligations to both Craig Bellamy and Hugo Viana, just like they have contractual obligations to us," he said.

"If we are playing in the second round of the Intertoto Cup on July 2 or 3 and if they are still at the club they will be expected to report for training on June 22 like everybody else."

Michael Chopra has returned to Tyneside following a season long loan at Barnsley with the chance to resurrect his Magpies' career, after Souness has promised him a contract extension.

Chopra's United contract runs out in the summer and the offer of a new deal at his home town club is just what the doctor ordered.

"There are a lot of clubs interested but Newcastle's my first love," said the 21-year-old striker, who is available for selection this weekend against Chelsea.

"He (Souness) said he'll look at me in pre-season so it's all down to me. I can't ask for any more than that."

The Gosforth born striker believes he has a better chance of establishing himself at the club than he did previously and says he is has been encouraged by the United boss' decision to introduce more youngsters to the side.

He said: "Bobby Robson gave me a chance, but that was only for one game as the next game he didn't play me. That knocked my confidence.

"But Graeme Souness is starting to give young players a chance, look at Steven Taylor, Charles N'Zogbia and Peter Ramage this season.