NEWCASTLE boss Sir Bobby Robson is pondering a New Year move for Leeds striker Alan Smith, writes Clive Hetherington.

Robson, who has made no secret of his admiration for the England international, knows that crisis club Leeds - around £80m in debt and teetering on the brink of administration - are vulnerable to any offer.

Reports suggest 23-year-old Smith could be available for as little as £2m and Robson, without the injured Craig Bellamy for a further three months, is understood to be weighing up whether to test Leeds' resolve.

The Magpies' manager, though a fan of Shola Ameobi, wants another frontline foil for skipper Alan Shearer and is also still keeping tabs on Leeds' injury-plagued former Sunderland striker Michael Bridges.

As revealed in Northern Echo SPORT last week, Newcastle have asked to be kept informed about Chelsea's £5m-rated Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, who is also attracting interest from Middlesbrough.

But with Leeds bottom of the Premiership and fighting for their very existence, there could be rich pickings at Elland Road when the transfer window opens and the possibility of a knockdown deal for Smith is naturally appealing.

The Leeds-born frontman has vowed to stick with his home-town club in their hour of need, but knows a move is on the cards.

And he would welcome the chance to link up again with former Leeds teammates Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer at St. James' Park.

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