NEWCASTLE could be drawn into a bidding war with Manchester United over £700,000 Chilean midfielder Clarence Acuna.

Israeli agent Ronen Katzav plans to meet United boss Alex Ferguson in London today to see whether he'll join the chase for Acuna, who recently completed a three-month FIFA ban for allegedly taking a banned substance.

The agent angered Newcastle last week when he tried to double the asking price on the 25-year-old defensive schemer after the Geordies agreed a 1m-dollar deal with his club University of Chile.

Acuna impressed during a trial spell on Tyneside but boss Bobby Robson has refused to comment on his interest.

Katzav claims he is due to meet Ferguson and said: "We will have a discussion to see whether he wants to bid for the player."

Robson is hardly short of midfielders following the return of Cristian Bassedas from the three-month injury lay-off that has delayed the £3.5m Argentinian's Premiership debut.

The Newcastle boss has nine players vying for midfield places but he remains keen on Acuna, who is more a ball winner.

Bassedas is finally poised to make his Premiership debut for Newcastle - more than three months after joining Robson's Geordies.

And boss Robson admitted yesterday: "He's a terrific character and I look forward to having him back."

The Argentinian ace's career stalled when he broke his foot in pre-season within weeks of signing a £3.5m deal.

But Bassedas, capped 27 times, will be in the frame for the derby clash at Middlesbrough in 12 days' time after a successful reserve team comeback against Leeds on Monday.

Robson is glad to have him in contention even though he already has huge competition for places in midfield.

And Bassedas also returns with a big welcome from Peruvian clubmate Nolberto Solano. Solano lined up against the 27-year-old schemer in the Argentinian league when he was with Boca Juniors and Bassedas played for Velez Sarsfield.

He said: "Cristian is a very clever player with great technique and I know he will adapt well to English football."

Robson now has four South Americans vying for selection at multi-lingual St James' Park - Bassedas, Solano, Daniel Cordone and Diego Gavilan.

Ironically Paraguayan winger Gavilan is temporarily on the crocks' list after suffering a knee injury on Monday night, but Andy Griffin, pulled out of the England Under 21 squad after suffering a recurrence of back trouble at Manchester City on Saturday, is not injured as seriously as first feared.

l Former Newcastle defender Alessandro Pistone has been ruled out of action for six months after undergoing a knee operation at Everton. The 24-year-old has flown to Italy to consult a specialist