NEWCASTLE United and Liverpool are on alert after Charlton Athletic yesterday granted Paul Konchesky's transfer request.

The full-back has already admitted he would leap at the chance of a move to St James' Park or Anfield as he looks to enhance his England prospects.

Ambitious Konchesky, rated at £4m, wants to establish himself as his country's first-choice left-back after being forced to operate on the right of defence for much of his time at The Valley.

Charlton's decision to hand former England left-back Chris Powell a new one-year deal was the final straw for 22-year-old Konchesky, whose progress has been followed keenly by United boss Sir Bobby Robson.

The Addicks confirmed: "We have received a written transfer request from Paul Konchesky. With considerable reluctance, the club have agreed to the request.''

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Tony Caig has turned down the chance to return to Charlton and signed a one-year deal with Newcastle.

Former Carlisle keeper Caig, 29, joined the Magpies on trial from Hibernian just before the transfer window closed in January.

Charlton, another of his former clubs, were keen to re-sign him, but he has opted to act as cover for Shay Given and Steve Harper on Tyneside.

Caig said: "Charlton had Dean Kiely sent off in the last game of the season and obviously they will need a keeper for the start of next season.

"Charlton spoke to my agent about me going back to The Valley where my former Carlisle manager Mervyn Day is head coach, but I wanted to stay at Newcastle.

"I know how good Shay Given and Steve Harper are and it is up to me to put them under pressure.''

* Defender Steve Caldwell has agreed a new one-year deal with Newcastle following the collapse of a proposed move to Sporting Lisbon.

Free agent Caldwell initially refused the Magpies' offer, dismissing the deal as "an insult''.

But the 22-year-old Scotland centre-back, who attracted the attention of Sunderland, Rangers and Borussia Moenchengladbach, has decided to fight for a place at St. James' Park