NEWCASTLE United have opened talks with UEFA Cup finalists Feyenoord in a bid to push through a deal for £12m-rated Brett Emerton.

United boss Bobby Robson meets chairman Freddy Shepherd today to outline how he intends spending his £20m summer transfer budget - and Australian international Emerton is sure to be high on the agenda.

Newcastle have been tracking the 23-year-old schemer for some time and will press their interest after Feyenoord face newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA final in Rotterdam tonight.

Emerton misses the game through suspension and looks to have played his last match for the Dutch giants, even though he has two years left on his contract.

Liverpool and Leeds are also chasing Emerton, who was a target for Middlesbrough last season.

Leeds boss David O'Leary watched Emerton in Feyenoord's 3-2 win over Heerenveen ten days ago.

But, while Newcastle are baulking at Feyenoord's valuation, the Magpies are still quietly confident that they can secure a deal.

Meanwhile, Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer had reassuring words for strike partner Craig Bellamy after the Wales star underwent keyhole knee surgery in the United States.

The operation was performed by leading knee specialist Richard Steadman at his Colorado clinic, where Shearer had surgery a year ago for career-threatening tendinitis.

Former England captain Shearer has since enjoyed a renaissance, hitting 26 goals this season and helping United to fourth spot in the Premiership and a place in the third qualifying round of the Champions' League.

United expect Bellamy to be fit for the start of their European campaign in mid-August, and Shearer said: "Craig could hardly be in better hands.

"Certainly, I've had no worries since I had my operation at the same time last year.''

* Newcastle have pencilled in a trip to Jeddah to face a Saudi Arabia select XI on July 19 and will be visiting Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, July 31 in a game arranged as part of the £5m deal which brought Jermaine Jenas to Tyneside.

And United are due to face former No 2 Mick Wadsworth and his Oldham side at Boundary Park on Friday, August 2.

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