NOLBERTO Solano is ready to quit Newcastle United over his club v country row with Sir Bobby Robson.

Solano linked up with Peru for last night's friendly against Mexico in Panama City in defiance of Robson's wishes.

The United boss insists the winger received a new contract on the understanding that he would retire from the international game.

But Solano, signed by Kenny Dalglish from Boca Juniors for £2.5m five years ago, skippers his country and is determined to help them qualify for the 2006 World Cup - even if it costs him his Newcastle career.

An angry Robson will overlook 28-year-old Solano for Saturday's home game against Manchester United, and faces losing him again next month.

While Peru's qualifier with Paraguay is a fortnight on Saturday on a Premiership-free weekend, the game against Chile four days later is only 72 hours before Newcastle visit Everton.

Solano, however, is standing by his decision and maintains Robson has sufficient cover for his right-sided position following the arrival of Lee Bowyer, who was preferred to the South American for Sunday's 2-2 draw at Leeds.

"My country is more important to me right now,'' said Solano. "If I have to be sold for taking this decision, I will cope with that.

"Mr Robson was far from delighted when I told him I would come to play for Peru, but he had to accept it.

"Now I know I will have to be out of the Newcastle squad for a couple of matches.

"But this is football and this kind of situation happens all the time.

"Newcastle have great players in their squad who can play in my position, such as Lee Bowyer.''

Solano's trans-Atlantic treks have been a source of annoyance to Robson ever since he took charge of the Magpies almost four years ago.

And Solano's latest declaration will do nothing to lighten the manager's mood after a strong reserve side were held to an embarrassing 1-1 draw by the second string of Football League basement club Darlington.

Robson stormed away from Tuesday's game at Whitley Park after slating his side and later branded their performance "totally unacceptable''.

Newcastle fielded no fewer than nine players with Premiership experience - Steve Harper, Andy Griffin, Robbie Elliott, Titus Bramble, Lomana LuaLua, Clarence Acuna, Carl Cort, Jamie McClen and Wayne Quinn.

Transfer-listed Chilean midfielder Acuna was sent off for violent conduct and faces a three-match ban, while Congo forward LuaLua missed a penalty and was hauled off by Robson before being given a public dressing-down.

But there was some good news for Robson yesterday, when centre-back Jonathan Woodgate was pronounced fit to face Mancchester United after shaking off the stomach upset which forced him to withdraw from the England squad for last night's friendly with Croatia.

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