NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson has turned to former club Barcelona in a bid to shore up his depleted defence.

Dutch international Winston Bogarde is a cut-price target and Robson is understood to be hoping to tie up a deal this week.

Bogarde, who has also been linked with Sunderland and Manchester City, is anxious to quit the Nou Camp following the departure of Dutch boss Louis van Gaal and said last week he would be moving to the Premiership.

If the versatile 29-year-old arrives on Tyneside, it could signal an outgoing deal at St. James' Park.

Spanish flop Marcelino, a £5m-plus Ruud Gullit signing from Real Mallorca last summer, has been told he can go.

But Celta Vigo's interest has cooled after they were quoted £5m and the player sustained a serious finger injury, which has ruled him out for two months.

Frenchman Didier Domi, who insists he is happy with Newcastle, is said to be a £3.5m target for Fiorentina.

There are also doubts about the future of Domi's compatriot, Alain Goma, who had clear-the-air talks with Robson last week and produced an impressive display in Saturday's 2-0 win over Tottenham.

Robson said: "I've had a long chat with Alain over the last few days. We have to rely on him because we've lost Nikos Dabizas and Marcelino through injury for a minimum of two months each.

"Alain's performance against Spurs was crucial - and he was a giant. He took on the big men like Sol Campbell at set-plays and won virtually every header. He's given one of his best performances for us.''

Robson revealed that a video view of their lapses in the opening two games had helped his defence produce a more solid performance.

"We've worked on our defending, videoed things, been critical and made the players see areas where we've had problems,'' said Robson. "I thought our back-four were the architects of our victory. There was good cover from Didier Domi and Warren Barton, and Aaron Hughes is developing all the time. I saw a stability in our back-four which, hitherto, hasn't been present.''

Robson was also delighted with the display of midfielder Kieron Dyer, who has responded to his manager's demand to make football his priority after being at the centre of sordid close-season stories.

"Kieron is now putting his career first,'' said Robson. "Everything else is secondary. I've told him that all he has to do is concentrate on being a great player because he's got a talent millions of kids would like to have and he mustn't throw it away. He's given another performance I will cherish.''

While Dyer links up with England to prepare for Saturday's clash with France in Paris, former national skipper Alan Shearer can take a breather following his retirement from the international game.

The United captain is still seeking his first goal of the season and 200th in the League, but Robson said: "It'll come. Alan's contribution against Spurs was that of a real man. He played against Sol Campbell and held the ball up and knocked it wide. I'm happy with him.

"He sat in the dressing room afterwards with an ice pack on his thigh and I said: 'You're going to enjoy this week, aren't you? He said: 'Yes, I am.' He's done his stint for England and he's made a good decision for himself.''

Argentinian striker Daniel Cordone, who scored Newcastle's second goal on Saturday, was only allowed to line up alongside Shearer after having his earrings surgically removed last week.

FA chief executive Adam Crozier wrote to United to warn them that Cordone's earrings posed an injury risk.

But Robson explained: "They were permanent earrings which had been soldered on. We said to the referee at the Manchester United game: 'Don't expect us to take them out, because we'd have to cut his ears off to do that!''