Olivier Bernard is adamant he won't return to Newcastle United whatever the Premier League ruling is on his decision to sign a pre-contract with West Ham.

All parties will learn today whether a tribunal has cleared the Frenchman to join the Hammers on a free transfer.

Newcastle claim they retain an option on Bernard for a third season, two years after he fought a legal battle to win his release from Lyon.

They also maintain the Hammers made an illegal approach to Bernard last season and have reneged on an agreement not to pursue the left-sided player.

But 22-year-old Bernard, who has made only eight starts for Newcastle, yesterday hardened his stance.

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

"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.

"The Premier League tribunal will make their decision on Friday as to whether I can complete my move to West Ham.

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

* Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren yesterday hinted that his interest in Leicester midfielder Muzzy Izzet had cooled.

McClaren was responding to Izzet's claims that he was heading for fresh talks with the Teessiders.

Izzet turned down a £6m move to Boro in March to help Leicester in their ill-fated fight against relegation.

But McClaren insisted at the end of last season that he would continue to monitor the 27-year-old Turkish international, who made his World Cup finals debut as a substitute in the semi-final defeat by Brazil.

"I have only been concentrating on the World Cup, but obviously I want to be part of the Premiership next season," said Izzet.

"The bid from Middlesbrough is still on the table and I will be speaking to Steve McClaren about that. We will then wait and see what happens."

However, McClaren maintained: "There is no bid on the table. We've had no contact with Leicester since the last time and we're weighing up our options on the transfer front at present."

Londoner Izzet has already seen a proposed move to West Ham fall through and his hopes of rejoining former Leicester boss Martin O'Neill at Celtic have failed to materialise.