Newcastle have returned to Town with a bid of £3 million for Darrens Ambrose and Bent, and also Matt Bloomfield. As we reported earlier, Bobby Robson, via chairman Freddie Shepherd, made an initial bid for Ambrose and Bent of £2.5 million which Town turned down, describing it as derisory.

The earlier move is reported to have caused a rift between the two clubs with Town chairman David Sheepshanks "upset" by the offer which was not made to the club but to administrators Deloitte and Touche.

The latest offer, also to the administrators rather than the club, also looks thoroughly unattractive to the Blues and not just because of the inadequate fee. The deal would be paid in four instalments of £750,000 over four years.

Ambrose alone has been valued at £4 million and has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Everton while Bent has scored 13 goals this season, his first full season in the first team squad.

Midfielder Bloomfield, yet to make a full appearance for Town, has been capped at England U19 level and has been included in England U20 squads.

Newcastle's attempts to exploit Town's current financial problems are unlikely to endear former manager Sir Bobby Robson to his old fans. Robson celebrates his 70th birthday next Tuesday.

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