ANTOINE Sibierski has turned his back on Newcastle United less than nine months after the Magpies offered him a much-needed opportunity to resurrect his career.

But Nolberto Solano, who is also out of contract this summer, will sign a new one-year deal at St James' Park.

Sibierski, who is currently a free agent after his previous contract expired at the end of the season, has rejected Newcastle's offer of a one-year extension.

The 32-year-old striker had been hoping to earn a two-year contract after scoring eight goals in his 39 games since making a free transfer move from Manchester City during last August's transfer window.

But with Newcastle officials refusing to extend their latest offer beyond 12 months, the Frenchman has opted to look elsewhere as he attempts to extend his career.

Sibierski's former club, Lens, are understood to be preparing a formal contract offer, while the striker's agent, Willie McKay, insists his client has a number of options to consider after committing himself to a future away from Tyneside.

"Antoine has turned down Newcastle's offer of a new one-year deal as he was holding out for a two-year deal," confirmed McKay. "Antoine had a great time at Newcastle, but he is now prepared to move on.

"He is feeling fit and he believes he can play on at the highest level for several more years.

"Antoine is open to offers and he is keen to get something sorted very quickly."

While former boss Glenn Roeder had been hoping to retain Sibierski's services this summer, new manager Sam Allardyce is unlikely to be too concerned at the veteran's impending departure.

Allardyce is already chasing a number of transfer targets, and the loss of Sibierski should enable him to sign a striker of his own choosing this summer.

His priorities could change if either Michael Owen or Obafemi Martins leave for pastures new but, at the moment, the Magpies manager is prioritising the purchase of at least two new defenders.

Wigan left-back Leighton Baines is at the top of his wanted list, with Celestine Babayaro's Newcastle future far from certain.

Baines, a member of the England Under-21 squad for this summer's European Championships, is likely to leave the JJB Stadium following Paul Jewell's departure as manager earlier this month.

The 22-year-old will command a fee of around £4m, but Allardyce is hoping to persuade him that Newcastle are capable of taking his career to a higher level.

The former Bolton boss will also invoke a one-year option on Solano's current deal which will tie the versatile Peruvian to Tyneside for another 12 months.

Meanwhile, former Newcastle centre-half Titus Bramble will undergo a medical at Portsmouth tomorrow. The defender, who Pompey boss Harry Redknapp yesterday described as a "good free transfer", is expected to sign a two-year deal.

Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has challenged Daryl Murphy to prove his international credentials in this evening's friendly with Ecuador.

The Sunderland striker is one of nine uncapped players in Ireland's 20-man squad for their two-match American tour, comprising this evening's game and Saturday's clash with Bolivia.

Murphy could play alongside team-mate Anthony Stokes as Staunton runs the rule over some of his side's up-and-coming talent and, after scoring ten Championship goals this season, the Ireland boss has challenged the 24-year-old to transfer his domestic form to the international stage ahead of September's crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers with Slovakia and Czech Republic.

"He's over here to prove he's good enough," said Staunton. "Some of the younger lads look closer than others, but it's down to all of them to try.

"They've all done very well. We know about them, we've had most of them monitored and they've come in here and done very well for themselves. It's given me a nice little headache for August and September."