SIR BOBBY Robson will be given the financial muscle to bolster his squad next month after Newcastle United landed a £25m cash windfall.

Yesterday's announcement of a new kit deal with adidas is ideally timed with the mid-season transfer window opening in three weeks time.

A striker and a full-back top Robson's wishlist, with Leeds frontman Alan Smith and Spurs' Stephen Carr already linked with moves to St James'.

The Magpies have agreed a five-year extension to their deal with adidas, which will run from May 2005 when the current contract expires.

This added to recently announced pre-tax profits of £27.6m - up 80 per cent - plus a £5m deal with MGM for a new casino, as well as their £12m windfall from sponsors Northern Rock, all point to a major investment on the field.

Newcastle currently stand seventh in the Premiership, with their minimum target this season fourth spot to guarantee a Champions League place.

Robson has earmarked at least two new signings in the January transfer window, and if given the go-ahead may also make a move for Nottingham Forest's £5m-rated centre-back Michael Dawson.

But their hopes of landing Smith in a cut-price deal hinge on whether Leeds find a buyer before January 19.

The Elland Road club yesterday confirmed to the Stock Exchange they are in discussions with a number of interested parties about a possible takeover, although negotiations "are at a very early stage."

The worst-case scenario for Leeds, currently £80m in debt, is administration, with the club having until January 19 to avert such a prospect after last week reaching 'a standstill agreement' with their creditors.

Smith is likely to stay at least until then, but the Magpies' hopes of landing the striker may also be hindered by reports that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is also interested in the Leeds striker.

Robson wants to strengthen his squad after adding only free transfer Lee Bowyer during the summer, and the prospect of having to replace skipper Alan Shearer, whose current contract is due to expire at the end of next season, is a major headache.

However, the volatile market means United will not spend for spending's sake, even if the money is available.

The adidas deal was welcomed by Shepherd.

"I am delighted to be continuing to work with adidas, the club's long-term official partner," he said.

"This new agreement underlines the satisfaction and commitment of both parties to an ongoing business relationship after an association of nearly a decade."

Meanwhile, Laurent Robert has revealed he is now happy on Tyneside after finally adjusting to life in England.

The Frenchman has shown flashes of brilliance following his move from Paris Saint Germain, but has demonstrated temperament in equal measures.

He has criticised the club on his personal website, regularly falling out with manager Sir Bobby Robson, but he appears to have finally put his troubles behind him in a sparkling first few months of the season.

"I am happy at Newcastle, my family is happy and the football is good," Robert said. "Last year it was not good due to the injuries to my back and knee, but it is better now."

* York threw away a two-goal lead then hit back to snatch a 4-3 victory in a Pontins League thrilller against Newcastle at Bootham Crescent.

Kane Ashcroft gave City a sixth-minute lead from the edge of the box after a Bryan Stewart cross was deflected to him.

Two minutes later Gary Browne was brought down inside the Newcastle box by Peter Rammage and picked himself up to crack the spot-kick past Ben Smith.

But Newcastle got back into the game with Michael Chopra's slick 34-minute finish, then Sean Davies was harshly adjudged to have fouled Richard Offiong and Andy Ferrell sent York keeper Chris Porter the wrong way from the spot to level the scores.

Seven minutes after the break United took the lead, substitute Brad Orr firing home. But on 75 minutes York drew level through Browne, then Porter became the York hero when he raced out of his box to clear and Christian Fox galloped away to score.

York Reserves: Porter, Law, Baynes (sub Staley 41), Fox, Anderson, Davies, Downes, Ashcroft (sub McKenzie 66), George, Browne, Stewart. Subs not used: Stockdale, Arthur, Kamara.

Newcastle Reserves: Smith, Norton, Gate, Rammage, Carr (sub Brittain 45), Taylor, Smylie , Ferrell, Offiong (sub Guy 45), Chopra, O'Brien (sub Orr 34). Subs not used: Webster Bartlett.

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