NEWCASTLE United could head the list of clubs keen to bring Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert to the Premiership in the summer.

Sir Bobby Robson is a long-time admirer of the Holland hitman, who now looks certain to head out of the door at Camp Nou following Tuesday night's Champions League exit at the hands of Juventus.

That defeat means Barcelona will not qualify automatically for European competition next season, after a woeful run in La Liga has left the Catalan giants in the bottom half of the division.

Kluivert is likely to be joined by many of the club's other internationals who will be none too keen to spend a season out of the world's premier club competition.

Barcelona's only hope of European competition now appears to be the backdoor route to the UEFA Cup through an Intertoto campaign, which would be highly embarassing for the club's multi-million pound stars.

Newcastle need to turn around their dismal recent form, starting at the Stadium of Light this weekend in the Wear-Tyne derby, to claim the Champions League place that could help persuade Kluivert to move to Tyneside.

The 26-year-old is unlikely to return to Italy after an unsuccessful season at Milan, and the only stumbling block over a move could be the asking price - likely to be in excess of £10m.

Arsenal and Manchester United would no doubt be keen to land the Dutchman, but the former Ajax striker has spoken in the past of his admiration for Sir Bobby Robson's side.

Last year he even invited a fresh approach from the Magpies saying: "I'd consider any offer that came in, and if Newcastle were still interested in me, then why not?"

Speaking ahead of last month's Champions league clash at St James' Park - where he scored - Kluivert said: "I always love playing in England because of the fans and the atmosphere.

"We played Newcastle in a pre-season friendly last summer and the atmosphere was incredible, even though it was not a competitive match.

"The Newcastle fans did not seem to care that there was nothing more than pride at stake and the noise they created was amazing.

"It is always like this when you play in England and is one of the reasons I hope one day to play in the Premiership.

"There is no other league like it for excitement and any player who comes to England for a Champions League game always speaks afterwards about the noise and passion of the supporters."

Kluivert has never disguised his intentions to play in the Premiership and now would appear to be the most likely time for a move away from La Liga.

His admiration for the Magpies also extends to the players themselves, and speaking on his personal website he said: "They have excellent and talented players, like Kieron Dyer.

"But the Newcastle player I most admire is Gary Speed.

"Players like Shearer and Bellamy attract more headlines but Speed is the heart of the Newcastle team and if he performs well, the whole team functions properly."

* Newcastle are prepared to play Jermaine Jenas in the Wear-Tyne derby - despite the 20-year-old suffering from a broken and dislocated finger.

Jenas, who damaged his finger in the 6-2 defeat by Manchester United 12 days ago, is likely to wear a protective cast if Robson decides to risk him.

United are also anxiously awaiting an injury update on central defender Jonathan Woodgate, who damaged his hamstring in Monday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

* Leeds striker Michael Bridges, long-time target of Newcastle United, has been given the all-clear to start a comeback after five months out through injury.

Bridges had only just returned to first-team action after two years out with ankle and knee problems when he ruptured his Achilles in only his second start of the season against Malaga in December.

Surgeons have now told the 24-year-old former Sunderland forward, who cost the Yorkshiremen £5m, that he can run again and build towards full fitness.

* Newcastle United's Brian Kerr and Gary Caldwell, currently on loan at Coventry City, are joined by Sunderland's Kevin Kyle in the Scotland Under-21 squad for the game against Austria on April 29

* Newcastle will play a pre-season friendly against Hull at the Kingston Communication Stadium on Monday August 4.

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