HARTLEPOOL United's Mark Robinson admitted last night that he is flattered by interest from Newcastle United.

But the 20-year-old left-back, who signed an extension to his contract at Victoria Park yesterday, insisted he is happy exactly where he is.

Robinson is known to have been watched by Magpies scout John Carver, along with teammate Adam Boyd, who is still considering the deal offered to him.

The Guisborough-born defender said: "It's obviously brilliant to see your name linked with a massive club like Newcastle.

"I'd be lying if I said that I never wanted to play in the Premiership with a club like Newcastle. It's every young footballer's dream.

"But I have just signed a new contract and that shows I want to stay here and make a name for myself.

"I am really enjoying it at Hartlepool and now I want to win back my place and help the club up the League and hopefully we can gain promotion."

Pool defender Chris Westwood is currently keeping Robinson out of the side, but the latter is prepared to bide his time.

Pool manager Chris Turner rewarded Robinson for the impressive way he has coped with being thrown into life in the Third Division since making his debut at Lincoln in August 2000.

And the former Nottingham Forest schoolboy indicated that signing a deal to keep him at Pool until the summer of 2003 represented a tremendous turnaround.

"When the gaffer first took over at Pool I thought I was going to be released," said Robinson, who was training with the youth team at the time.

"But then he asked me to train with the first team then I was given a two-year deal, which was very surprising. And now obviously to get this latest deal has really delighted me."

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