OLIVIER BERNARD has confirmed he is ready to sign a new contract with Newcastle United - 18 months before his current deal expires.

The Frenchman, who demanded to leave St. James' Park in the summer of last year before penning a fresh three-season agreement, has since established himself at left-back.

Bernard agrees he is in the best form of his life and reaping the rewards of his left-sided link-up with close friend and fellow countryman Laurent Robert.

It is a far cry from the time Bernard signed a pre-contract with West Ham in the belief that he was entitled to quit Tyneside on a free transfer.

The former Darlington loanee failed in an appeal against a Premier League tribunal ruling barring him from joining the Hammers.

Bernard said he would never set foot in St. James' again after the Magpies insisted they held an option on him for another year at the end of a two-deal deal.

But Bernard, who joined Newcastle on a free from Lyon in 2000, soon had a change of heart and now admits: "I would have no hesitation in signing a new contract - I don't want to leave Newcastle.

"At the time I think I was right to want to go because I wasn't playing and I thought I deserved to be in the team.

"But now I am happy and relieved that I stayed because I am playing and West Ham are in the First Division.''

Like winger Robert, Bernard has his sights on a place in his national team, and confesses he can't understand why his in-form teammate isn't already an automatic choice for his country.

"Laurent is a fantastic player,'' said Bernard. "I think he has helped me more than I have helped him.

"I think Laurent has enough ability to be in the French squad. I think the reason France haven't been to watch him here is because we are not Arsenal or Manchester United.

"It's hard to get into the French team. I'm behind Bixente Lizarazu and Mikael Silvestre, and there is a good young left-back at Monaco called Evra. I just have to keep working hard and see what happens.''

Sir Bobby Robson recently compared one of Bernard's performances to that of brilliant Brazilian Roberto Carlos.

And Bernard confided: "I watch all the great left-backs. I don't think I have missed any French game and I watch the way Lizarazu plays. I also watch Roberto Carlos; he is another favourite of mine. I am not anywhere near him, but I hope I will be one day.

"I was a forward in France when I played in the youth team. Then I went on to the left wing and played there for three or four years.

"Newcastle needed a left-back. I didn't want to play there at first, but when you are young you want to play anywhere to get into the team. I am tactically much better now.''

Bernard, 24, is indebted to former Darlington boss Gary Bennett, who took him on loan in his first season with Newcastle.

He said: "I learned English football at Darlington and it toughened me up playing there. Darlington was a great experience for me and I really enjoyed my time there.

"I'm owe Gary Bennett a great deal. I'm still in touch with him and he is very happy with the way I am playing.''

Newcastle head for Leicester's Walkers Stadium for the first time today with Robson facing a selection poser in attack.

Shola Ameobi's cheekbone fracture leaves the Newcastle boss with few options. Lomana LuaLua is favourite to start alongside skipper Alan Shearer, but home-grown prospect Michael Chopra - 20 three days ago - is also in contention, while Robson is considering midfielder Kieron Dyer for a front role.

Robson said: "Kieron is always a possibility, but we have LuaLua and Chopra, who has just come back with England from the World Youth Championships in Dubai.

"He looks sharp, eager and ready and he could come into the reckoning. He's a great prospect. He likes the ball played over the top, he strikes it well and he's a brave little guy.''

Congo star LuaLua is bound for African Nations Cup duty next month, and Robson has given him a timely gee-up.

He said: "The only way he is going to play well there is by playing well here.

"He was a bit down after his last start at Wolves, but he can't step out of a depressing situation at his club and be a livewire for his country.''

Injury-plagued striker Carl Cort is back in full training after a torn hamstring, but Robson said: "He's two weeks away at least.''

Defender Steve Caldwell has had a scan on a thigh strain, and midfielder Lee Bowyer is out with a hip injury which may require surgery

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