NEWCASTLE United last night attempted a last-ditch attempt to hijack Fredi Kanoute's move from Tottenham Hotspur to Sevilla.

The Primera Liga outfit claim they have agreed a £4.4m deal with Spurs for the Mali international, subject to a medical being completed.

But, with the Magpies running short of options on the striker front - after drawing blanks with Nicolas Anelka, Luis Boa Morte and Michael Owen - the club is desperate for a front man and have made a bid to steal Kanoute from under their noses.

Sevilla, however, insist the 27-year-old will become their second major signing this summer following the arrival, on loan, of Barcelona forward Javier Saviola, but United have other ideas.

Kanoute is understood to be keen to remain in England and the late, option of a switch to Tyneside would prove tempting.

He revealed last week that he felt Tottenham were trying to force him out of the club in a bid to raise funds for their own transfer plans.

Spurs were initially keen to offload Kanoute to a foreign club rather than to a Premiership rival. But, it is no secret the North London club have courted the services of Jermaine Jenas during the summer months and this could prove to be pivotal in any deal being struck.

Should Graeme Souness allow United's highly-rated midfielder to join Spurs then they would surely pull the plug on his move to Spain.

Newcastle's intervention caps a remarkable week for Kanoute.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew had considered bringing their former striker back to Upton Park this summer before fans intervened and influenced his decision not to.

Kanoute attracted criticism from some Hammers supporters towards the end of his spell there who felt he showed a lack of commitment in the club's battle against relegation.

West Ham had brought Kanoute to the Premiership in a £3.7m deal from Lyon five years ago where he hit 31 goals in 84 games before moving to White Hart Lane.

Kanoute cost Tottenham £3.5m in the summer of 2003 where he netted 21 times in 73 appearances. But he fell out of favour at the end of last season when he refused to go on a club tour to Mauritius for personal reasons.

Meanwhile, although the Football Association is reviewing its appeals policy following FIFA's advice over the decision to downgrade Jenas' red card at Arsenal to a yellow, they won't be changing it again.

An FA spokesman said: "There is no suggestion the decision regarding Jermaine Jenas will be overturned."

United's wantaway midfielder Hugo Viana has been ordered home by chairman Freddie Shepherd.

The Magpies' £8m signing from Sporting Lisbon was been told to fly back to Tyneside after Portugal's friendly with Egypt last night after failing to win a loan deal with Spanish club Celta Vigo

The Premier League have confirmed Dermot Gallagher, and not Barry Knight, will take charge of Newcastle's Premiership clash with West Ham on Saturday.

l Anthony Le Tallec will have to wait a little longer to make his Sunderland debut.

The on loan Liverpool midfielder - who scored for France Under-21 in their 2-2 draw with Italy on Tuesday - has been prevented by a new Premier League ruling from appearing against his registered team at Anfield, when the Black Cats visit Merseyside on Saturday.

Charlton midfielder Darren Ambrose last night admitted he was disappointed with himself for his horrendous tackle on Stephen Wright last Saturday.

Ambrose's two-footed lunge left referee Howard Webb with little option but to produce a red card.

The 22-year-old former Newcastle United winger said: "I have to admit, it looked horrendous.

"Thankfully I didn't hurt the lad and he was able to complete the whole game because I wouldn't want someone to make that kind of tackle on me.

"Watching it again, I was really disappointed with myself because I am not that type of player.

"My only defence is the pictures made it appear to be a worse challenge than it really was.

"I just miscontrolled the ball and tried to get it back again but for that to happen on my debut was dreadfully upsetting."

l The first cracks in Chelsea's Barclays Premiership title defence have appeared with Ricardo Carvalho breaking ranks to launch a stinging attack on Jose Mourinho.

Carvalho was left furious by his omission from the starting line-up for Sunday's dramatic 1-0 victory over Wigan with skipper John Terry and William Gallas paired together at centre back.

Carvalho declared it is ''incomprehensible'' that he has slipped to third in the centre-back rankings.

''I want to know why I didn't play. How can I explain when I don't understand it? Sincerely, I gave a lot of thought and time to myself but cannot find a valid explanation. It's totally incomprehensible,'' he said