MICHAEL BRIDGES will not be playing in the Premiership with Newcastle United next season but he could return to the North-East with Sunderland.

The former Leeds United striker signed a short term contract at St. James' Park in January and he had been hoping to convince Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson to offer him permanent terms.

But Bridges struggled to make an impact during his time on Tyneside; making just one start for the club and his only goal came for the reserves against Hartlepool.

And now, after learning he will not be staying at Newcastle next season on his return from holiday, Northern Echo SPORT understands the 24-year-old is considering his options after becoming a free agent.

A return to Sunderland, where he left in 1999, is a possibility after the North Shields-born forward was sounded out about moving back there.

He made a name for himself, as a bright teenage talent, under Peter Reid at the Stadium of Light when he scored 16 times in 31 league starts. It was that form that alerted David O'Leary who paid £5m for his services.

But at Elland Road injuries have meant he has never been able to regain full fitness or hit top form and he has only made 40 league starts in almost five years with the Yorkshire club.

Despite the Black Cats' fall from the top-flight 12 months ago, Bridges is thought to be still tempted by the prospect of playing regular first team football in the Coca-Cola League.

The fact that it is a chance to play professionally in his native North-East, among friends and family, would also appeal to him as he attempts to steer his career back on track.

If Sunderland do step up their interest then they will face a fight for the player's signature as a posse of clubs have also made tentative inquiries.

Leading the chase at the moment are Southampton. The Saints board are understood to have made a lucrative offer for Bridges already.

He also has other Premiership options in the shape of Fulham and Bolton but he may be tempted by the possibility of regular football at relegated Leicester as well.

Bridges, who has been plagued by a series of career-threatening injuries since joining Leeds, is desperate to make the right move as he attempts to finally score his first league goal since May 2000. Sunderland may well fit the bill.

Meanwhile, Newcastle face a fight if they decide to pursue their interest in Dutch full-back Mario Melchiot.

Melchiot, available on a free transfer from Chelsea this summer, has been targeted as Robson attempts to snap up a new right-back. Leeds' Danny Mills and Tottenham's Stephen Carr have both been considered in the past because it remains a position of concern for the Newcastle boss.

Melchiot, though, has claimed he has 12 options as he plans a future away from Stamford Bridge - five of which are Premiership clubs.

There are also leading sides from Spain and Italy showing an interest and he said: "Whether it's going to be England or anywhere else at the moment I can't decide."

The need for a new full-back has increased following the departure of Andy Griffin to Portsmouth.

It is over six years ago that Griffin, who left on a free transfer, arrived at Newcastle and he believes the Geordie faithful have never seen his true worth.

"I wouldn't say the fans haven't seen the best of me but they have not seen as much of me as I would have liked," said Griffin.

"But I appreciate the support they have given me and I hope they won't boo me when I come back! The first fixture I will look for will be Newcastle."

* Tranmere Rovers have signed Newcastle striker Calvin Zola on a two-year deal.

The 19-year-old, who spent most of last season on loan at Oldham Athletic, will team up with former Darlington manager Brian Little at Prenton Park.

"Calvin is a young lad who impressed me when he played against us for Oldham," said Little. "He is a big strong centre-forward who has been well coached at Newcastle."

* Former Newcastle manager and Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish revealed yesterday that he would not have axed Reds boss Gerard Houllier.

The Frenchman lost his job this week after failing to win the championship despite leading them to the Champions League and winning trophies at home and in Europe during his tenure.

But Dalglish, who won almost everything there is to win as a player and manager at Anfield, believes the club should not have parted company with Houllier.

He said: ''I thought he would have been there next season but unfortunately it was not my decision and now they have got a decision to make.''

Dalglish believes that Houllier's successor will be lucky to get his hands on a ''great'' rather than ''difficult'' job.