SIR BOBBY ROBSON insisted last night that Newcastle United are still hopeful of signing Jonathan Woodgate after they made an improved £11m bid for the defender.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd met his Leeds United counterpart Peter Ridsdale yesterday and tabled an offer worth £8m up front, with a further £3m dependant on appearances.

Leeds, who need to reduce debts that totalled £77m in June 2002 and an annual wage bill of £53.6m, were last night considering Newcastle's revised package.

Robson said: "We have made a very sizeable cash offer and it's in the hands of Leeds United Football Club as to what they do with it.

"It might depend on whether Robbie Fowler's transfer to Manchester City goes through.

"I don't know how much money Leeds need and I don't know if they can turn down our offer.

"Not many clubs have money, and we're one of the clubs with money. The clubs that have the money have the power."

Newcastle's interest in Brazil's World Cup winning midfielder Kleberson is also still alive, less than 48 hours before the transfer window closes.

The news of an increase in Newcastle's bid for Woodgate came after the St James' Park club beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 with a 90th-minute goal from Jermaine Jenas.

Robson said: "We showed great character but also great stamina, endurance and pace to win it at the end.

"They couldn't handle Kieron Dyer coming out of midfield, and Jermaine Jenas showed great legs to keep getting into their penalty box.

"Jermaine should have scored and won the game for us earlier, but he did what Jimmy Greaves said all players should do when they miss, and he got in there again.

"Jermaine kept his confidence and he got his reward. It's a huge result and a wonderful feeling to be above Manchester United in the table.

"Titus Bramble handled his first game for three months very well and we've still got two centre-backs to come in because Aaron Hughes and Stephen Caldwell were ill."

Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle was furious that his side had a Gustavo Poyet "goal" disallowed for offside that assistant referee Bernard Baker later admitted should have stood.

Hoddle said: "To have a legitimate goal chalked off is very hard to take.

"I felt it was a good goal at the time, and having seen it afterwards you can see they got it wrong."

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