NEWCASTLE enigma Laurent Robert has revealed that Arsenal's legion of French stars have thrown their weight behind his claims for an international recall.

France coach Jacques Santini has ignored the 28-year-old winger despite his dramatic resurgence in form.

Robert is a complex character who has driven to distraction a manager of the stature of Sir Bobby Robson.

The Newcastle boss has complained that Robert has given him more grief than any other player in over 35 years in management.

Matters came to a head early this season when Robert received a final, written warning from the club after he launched a public attack on Robson's tactics.

It was the last in a succession of barbs, most of which had appeared on his personal website, that Robert had aimed at the club.

Robson's patience had worn thin and the 70-year-old former England manager was understood to be considering a move to offload Robert during next month's transfer window. Since then, however, Robert has been a revelation, producing the best form of his Newcastle career and speaking of spending the rest of playing days with the Magpies.

A breathtaking double salvo in the 4-0 home win over Tottenham a week ago took his goal spree to eight in his last 12 starts and he is now targeting a return to the French fold after being exiled ever since his arrival on Tyneside in the summer of 2001.

Nine-cap Robert's cause could be helped by the influence of Gallic luminaries like Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Sylvain Wiltord.

Robert has confided he is in regular contact with the Highbury trio, and that they are all in favour of his restoration to French squad.

With Newcastle's French-speaking Congo striker Lomana LuaLua helping to translate, Robert said: "I talk to Henry, Pires and Wiltord and they, and most of the players in the French camp, recognise that I should be given a chance.

"But I have had no contact with France and no-one has been to watch me - maybe Newcastle is too cold for them!

"In France, they don't really talk about my performances. This is my third season with Newcastle but I have never seen anyone from France come here.

"I would like to see Jacques Santini come here. I want to get into the French team again and be involved in Portugal at Euro 2004 next summer. I hope the manager is keeping an eye on my performances.

"Hopefully the two goals I scored last weekend will give them something to talk about and get me in the frame.''

Two-and-a-half years after Robson signed him from Paris St. Germain for almost £10m, Robert is finally settling in the North-East with his wife and two sons, aged six and three.

And he maintains he has "no problem'' with football grandee Robson.

"My family are happy here, so I am happy here,'' said Robert. "I have two more years on my contract after this one and I would like to extend it and finish my career here.

"I understand English better now, and English football. Newcastle have been playing very well in the last two months and I have been playing more consistently. Last season I had a problem with my back which made things difficult.

"There is no problem between the manager and me.

"I closed my website, but I have never said anything to upset the manager.

"I have learned from him that you have to work hard on the training ground and that is helping me.''

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