NEWCASTLE UNITED chairman Freddy Shepherd has urged bad-boy Lee Bowyer to make the most of possibly his last chance to revive his career at St. James' Park.

The Magpies supremo admits that the capture of Bowyer is one of his biggest gambles since he took control of the club.

But Shepherd is convinced that the unpredictable 26-year-old's ability on the pitch can persuade the fans that the signing of the ex-Leeds man was the right decision.

He said: "We are giving him a fresh start and I am desperately hoping he will grab it with both hands.

"Lee knows that if he does the business on the field he will win over the doubters.

"We thought long and hard about the repercussions about signing Lee and I spoke at length to Sir Bobby Robson about the impact his arrival might have on the club.

"Sir Bobby rates him as one of the best English-born midfielders in the Premiership and we have signed him purely on his footballing abilities."

Bowyer, who was cleared of assaulting an Asian student three years ago, has arrived on a Bosman free transfer after leaving relegated West Ham.

The former Charlton man has been reunited with ex-Leeds teammate Jonathan Woodgate on Tyneside.

* Leeds chairman John McKenzie insists the club will do all it can to hang on to star player Harry Kewell.

The Australian forward has been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona among others over the last couple of weeks with the Yorkshire club still in financial difficulty after over-stretching themselves under former chairman Peter Ridsdale.

McKenzie said: ''We remain hopeful that we can sign Harry to a new deal but it does depend on whether he is hell-bent on playing in the Champions League next season.

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