Duff Newcastle-bound? - February 16, 2001
English sites are reporting that Newcastle United are again showing interest in Blackburn's Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff.
Newcastle director of football Gordon Milne was at the City Ground at the weekend to watch the 21-year-old in action against Nottingham Forest and known-Duff-fan Bobby Robson is now deciding whether to make the plunge.
Speculation has been fuelled by Blackburn's interest in out-of-contract Benfica winger Sergei Kandaurov, who arrived at the Stadium of Light when Graeme 'Paddy' Souness was manager there.
O'Sounessy, of course, has had something of an Irish clear-out at Ewood Park with Lee Carsley sold to Coventry, Alan Kelly and Jeff Kenna transfer-listed and Jason McAteer officially described as "available". Duff was named this week in Mick McCarthy's senior squad to play Denmark and it would be no surprise to see the Ballyboden man move back to the Premiership.
McAteer, incidentally, is an injury doubt for Rovers' FA Cup tie with Bolton tomorrow. He has a thigh strain.