OLIVIER BERNARD yesterday performed a remarkable about-turn when he agreed a new three-year deal with Newcastle United.

The French left-back learned that his appeal against a Premier League tribunal ruling barring him from joining West Ham on a free transfer, had been dismissed.

But having vowed only a fortnight ago that he would never set foot in St. James' Park again, after the Magpies insisted he still had another year on his contract, Bernard promptly signed a new one.

The Football League Appeals Committee yesterday afternoon upheld the findings of the tribunal.

Bernard had rejected the offer of fresh terms from Newcastle and signed a pre-contract with West Ham, claiming he was a free agent at the end of his two-year deal on Tyneside.

But the Geordies successfully argued that they held an option on the 22-year-old for a third season.

Newcastle issued a statement after the original hearing, emphasising they bore "no hard feelings" towards former Darlington loanee Bernard, and adding that he should "just report for training with the rest of the squad''.

However, it was then agreed he should stay away from the club and miss the start of pre-season training until the outcome of his appeal was known.

Bernard had cited a lack of first-team opportunities as the reason for his disaffection.

He said: "Whatever happens, I don't want to play for Newcastle United and would find it very difficult to go back.

"I was disappointed at my lack of first-team opportunities at Newcastle and that is why I turned down their offer of a new contract.

"I'm confident common sense will prevail and I will be able to play for the club (West Ham) in the new season.''

Now, however, the slate has been wiped clean as Bernard sets out to win back the faith of the fans, whose patience with French players has already been sorely tested by the acrimonious departures of the likes of Didier Domi and Alain Goma.

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson, meanwhile, has dismissed suggestions that the future of another Frenchman, £10m winger Laurent Robert, is in doubt after the £8.5m signing of Hugo Viana.

The Portuguese wonder boy is naturally left-footed, but Robson insisted: "Hugo is a totally different type of player. There's no comparison.

"He's a central midfielder, not a winger.

"Hugo will bring us more balance.

"I feel we need another left-footed option and I'm delighted we've got him.

"He's a boy with immense talent and he can be a frightening player. He's a player for the future.''

* Newcastle pair Jermaine Jenas and Michael Chopra have been named in the England squad for the UEFA Under-19 Championships in Norway from July 21-28.

Midfielder Jenas, 19, was signed from Nottingham Forest for £5m in February and has already been elevated to David Platt's Under-21 squad.

Striker Chopra, 18, was part of the Under-19 set-up last season, scoring two goals in seven appearances.

Jenas has scored two in as many games for the Under-19s, who face Germany, Belgium and Ireland in Norway.

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