LAURENT ROBERT'S miserable start to the season was compounded last night when he was fined £40,000 for his sending off at Everton.

Sir Bobby Robson docked the Newcastle United winger two weeks' wages, the maximum punishment allowed, despite defending the player in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's game.

Robson will hold showdown talks with Robert this week, with the manager angry after he was criticised by the Frenchman on his personal website following the defeat to Birmingham City.

"It's time Laurent did his talking on the pitch," Robson said.

Robert will be suspended for the Premiership clash with Southampton on October 4.

Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien wants his side to use the battling 2-2 draw at Goodison as the launchpad for a revival.

O'Brien believes the character in evidence during the controversial encounter will stand them in good stead in the coming weeks.

He said: "I think we showed a lot of fighting spirit and there were plenty of positives to take from the game.

"We know we haven't had the best of starts to the season but it's only early days and we know we'll move up the table.

"We've heard all the talk about the splits and there being four dressing rooms, but I think our togetherness was there for all to see at Everton."

Sheffield United last night denied they were poised to sign Newcastle misfit Carl Cort.

Cort, who cost Newcastle £7m in 2000, was linked with a three-month loan move to Bramall Lane with a view to a £1.5m deal.

But Blades manager Neil Warnock said: "He was someone I looked at 12 months ago."

* A first half Robbie Elliott header brought Newcastle Reserves their first win in three games last night with a 1-0 success over Wolves, writes JACK LESLIE.

Elliott, long in exile from Bobby Robson's first team, climbed well to nod in from close range after a 34th minute Darren Ambrose header had been blocked.

United just about deserved the narrow win and even finished with ten men when substitute Stephen Brennan, the Republic of Ireland Youth International, injured a shoulder moments after coming on in the 77th minute. Ambrose, often prominent, almost doubled the lead four minutes before half-time when he breezed past two tackles in a run from midfield and crossed a 16-yard drive against the bar.

Wolves were not without teeth and Ivar Ingimarsson nodded a Silas corner inches wide while another header from the same player was instinctively blocked by Newcastle keeper Ben Smith.

A Jermaine Jenas 25-yarder was also well dealt with by Hennessey before United were reduced to ten men. But the Magpies held firm.

Newcastle United Reserves: Smith, Gate (Brennan 77), Elliott, S Caldwell, Dabizas, Ambrose, Orr, Jenas, Offiong (Bates 70), Chopra, Ferrell (Brittain 45). Subs (not used): Taylor, Bartlett.

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