NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd yesterday flew to London in a bid to secure Lee Bowyer on a pre-contract as Aston Villa were ruled out of the race for the former Leeds star.

New Villa manager David O'Leary, Bowyer's old Elland Road boss, has been told to forget about any move for the England international by chairman Doug Ellis.

Even if O'Leary harboured interest in Bowyer, Ellis insists the 26-year-old midfielder's wage demands - he is understood to have agreed terms on a £40,000-a-week deal with Newcastle - would smash Villa's pay structure.

The autocratic Ellis is not prepared to approve such a move, and the news will provide encouragement to Newcastle as they look to push through an agreement with Bowyer.

Shepherd, anxious to head off the threat of the deal being hijacked, is determined to return to St. James' Park with cast-iron guarantees about Bowyer's commitment to joining the Geordies on a five-year contract.

As reported in Northern Echo Sport on Tuesday, Newcastle face competition for Bowyer from long-time admirers Arsenal.

Chelsea, who like Newcastle and the Gunners can offer Bowyer the prospect of Champions League football next season, have also been credited with an interest.

A spokesman for Bowyer's advisors, the Skillequal company, yesterday insisted: "Lee is still talking to a couple of clubs. There's nothing different.''

Newcastle are certainly one of those clubs and remain optimistic that Bowyer will be reunited with former Leeds teammate Jonathan Woodgate on Tyneside.

A factor in their favour is that Bowyer's girlfriend hails from Durham.

Magpies manager Sir Bobby Robson is willing to gamble on Bowyer in the face of disquiet from fans about his history of court appearances and on-field misdemeanours.

Bowyer was cleared of grievous bodily harm and affray in the case that saw Woodgate acquitted of GBH but convicted of affray after a late-night attack on an Asian student in Leeds over three years ago.

Robson wants Bowyer even though he would be unavailable for six European matches next season because of a UEFA ban for stamping on Malaga midfielder Gerardo while with Leeds last term.

Robson feels the opportunity to sign a player of Bowyer's ability on a free transfer at the end of his short-term deal with relegated West Ham, is too good to miss.

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