CONTROVERSIAL winger Laurent Robert last night pledged to give his all for Newcastle United as he hit back at claims he had rubbished his teammates.

In a statement issued through the club, the Frenchman distanced himself from an interview in the News of the World in which he was quoted as saying there was a dressing-room rift between English and foreign players, and that he has suffered because of skipper Alan Shearer's greed for goals.

Robert, repeatedly rapped by manager Sir Bobby Robson for criticising his colleagues on his personal website, yesterday pleaded with the club to give him the chance to clear his name.

Signed by Robson from Paris St. Germain for £9.5m in the summer of 2001, Robert's relationship with his teammates has always been uneasy, and occasionally stormy.

Shearer rounded on him after his lacklustre performance in United's 3-0 defeat at Liverpool last season, and Robert was also involved in a training ground bust-up with right-back Andy Griffin.

This season Robert clashed with coach John Carver over the player's failure to salute the fans after the Champions League game away to Dynamo Kiev.

And he came under fire from teammates at Wolves nine days ago following his indifferent display in United's FA Cup humbling.

But yesterday 27-year-old Robert pointed the finger of blame at the media, a little over a fortnight after angrily confronting a local journalist in the corridors of St. James' Park following the home game against Tottenham.

"Hardly a day goes by without the press wanting to talk to me,'' insisted Robert, who rarely gives interviews and speaks hardly any English.

"They are always alleging that I have criticised either the club or my teammates.

"The News of the World article is another example where I did not speak to them and they write things I have not said.

"I would like to put an end to these controversies once and for all and I emphasise again I want to stay at Newcastle United and give my best for the club and the fans.

"I respect Newcastle United and all my teammates, who have shown and continue to show that they are great players.

"From now on I will make every effort to ensure that only my playing ability will be reported."

Robson, who is on record as saying that Robert is the most difficult player he has had to deal with in 35 years in management, has agreed to draw a line under the latest rumpus.

But there is no question that, if Robert steps out of line, his future will be in serious doubt.

Greek centre-back Nikos Dabizas and Argentinian midfielder Christian Bassedas also took the opportunity to set the record straight over articles about them that accompanied the one on Robert.

Bassedas, who hasn't figured in United's first team since October 2001, was alleged to have said his exclusion from Robson's plans had driven him to the brink of suicide.

But yesterday he insisted: "I have never spoken to anybody about my position - it is not in my nature.

"I know the rules of the club, I am a professional player, and I accept things if I am not selected."

Dabizas, who is also out of favour with Robson, denied telling the News of the World that he would quit Newcastle at the end of the season, but admitted he commented in a similar vein to a Greek journalist several days earlier.

"I have no argument with Newcastle United," said Dabizas.

Robson, who held talks with Robert before meeting chairman Freddy Shepherd, added: "I have spoken to the players concerned and accept their explanation.

"Players know they have to be circumspect about their comments. As far as the chairman and I are concerned, that is the end of the matter.''

Meanwhile, Dynamo Kiev's defender-cum-midfielder Andrii Husin yesterday insisted that his link with a move to Newcastle is "a hoax''.

Ukrainian Husin, who played against the Magpies in this season's Champions League, said: "Newcastle have not contacted me.

"I have approached my president, Ihor Surkis, with this question.

"We agreed before that, if any club was interested in me, he would let me know about it.

"However, this time, he told me that Newcastle had not enquired about me and that these reports were a hoax."

And Russian defender Alexei Smertin believes any hopes United have of prising him away from Bordeaux are distant.

Smertin, rated at £4m, is not averse to the idea of joining the Geordies, but said: "The fact of the matter is that Bordeaux have spent a lot on new players during the transfer window and they hardly have the money to replace me.

"If they can get a good price for me, then they can replace me, but I don't know what the outcome will be. A loan deal has not been discussed.

"I don't like to stay in one place too long. I like the nomadic lifestyle."

Robson is also understood to be keen to tie up a loan deal for Brazil's World Cup-winning midfielder Kleberson, who plays in his homeland with Atletico Paranaense and is valued at £4m. Leeds boss Terry Venables is similarly interested.

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