New Signing For City?

[footyfan]

THE man who once controversially replaced Alan Shearer in Newcastle United's starting line-up is poised to bolster York City's attack next season.

Former Magpies striker Paul Robinson, who then manager Ruud Gullit preferred to ex-England captain Shearer in an infamous 1999 Tyneside-Wearside derby with Sunderland, is in talks at Bootham Crescent today with the view to sealing a permanent move from Hartlepool United.

The decision to replace Shearer with Robinson ultimately led to Gullit's departure as Newcastle manager after Sunderland ran out 2-1 winners at St James' Park but Chris Brass will be hoping the 25-year-old forward can help him stay in a job.

Lee Nogan, the assistant to the City boss watched Robinson, who orignally hails from Sunderland, blast in a four-goal haul against a young City reserve side at the end of last season for Hartlepool's second-string.

The 5ft 11in hitman, who moved to Wimbledon from Newcastle for £1.5million, is also a former team-mate of Brass, sharing Burnley's dressing-room with City's player-manager during a two-month loan spell at Turf Moor in 2000.

Robinson scored nine goals during 23 League and cup starts for Hartlepool last season and has been offered a new six-month contract at the Victoria Ground.

But he is believed to want regular first-team football and has already turned down a move to new Football League 2 promotion hopefuls Yeovil because he would prefer to stay in the north-east.

The ex-Darlington trainee left Feethams to join Newcastle in a £250,000 deal and he went on to play 16 games for the Geordie giants, scoring one goal in a UEFA Cup tie at CSKA Sofia.

The Sunderland-born striker moved on to Wimbledon in July 2000 but his million-pound move turned sour.

His League outings for the Dons were restricted to just four substitute appearances and, after loan spells with Burnley, Dundee United, Grimsby and Carlisle, who, like City suffered the drop out of the Football League, the striker was allowed to join Blackpool on a free transfer.

He then left the Seasiders to sign for Hartlepool last summer and figured in last season's Second Division play-off campaign.

Brass confirmed yesterday that he would be entering talks with Robinson today but did not want to make any further comment until a possible deal had been finalised.
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