NEWCASTLE United pulled out of the chase for Portugal winger Simao after baulking at Benfica's £11m asking price.

The Lisbon giants have confirmed that the Magpies enquired about the speedy 23-year-old, who was watched by Sir Bobby Robson when Portugal hosted Brazil three weeks ago.

But Benfica's demands were deemed excessive, and manager Robson had already landed Darren Ambrose from Ipswich for £2m in the knowledge that the 19-year-old can operate on either flank.

Simao, however, admits he would be interested in joining a major Premiership club.

"I'm happy in Lisbon, but if an interesting offer arrived, I would study it,'' said the former Barcelona man.

"The Premiership is the best championship in Europe, along with Spain and Italy, and I would like to play for one of the big clubs in England.''

Meanwhile, Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer has set his side a double Easter win target to secure a Champions League spot.

The third-placed Magpies, thrashed 6-2 by Manchester United at St James' Park last weekend, face Fulham at Loftus Road on Saturday before entertaining Aston Villa on Easter Monday.

Chelsea are only a point behind Newcastle and Everton and Liverpool are also in contention for a top-four Champions League berth.

Dyer declared: "We can't be complacent and allow all the good work this season to go to waste.

"We have to go to Fulham and play our normal game. Six points by Monday could secure our place in the Champions League.

"We were devastated by the Man. United defeat; we thought we could win that game but we were given a reality check.

"Now we have to pick ourselves up and get it out of our systems. We're looking over our shoulders.

"We desperately want to be back in the Champions League.

"If we're going to make it, we must start to pick up and get back to what we were doing earlier in the season.''

Dyer's midfield colleague Jermaine Jenas is now rated doubtful for the Fulham clash after undergoing surgery for a dislocated finger.

* Newcastle have been linked with a £200,000 interest in Southend defender Leon Cort, brother of Magpies striker Carl.

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