George Burley has commented on the news that UEFA is to grant the Premier League an extra Champions' League place. After Leeds, Arsenal and Manchester United all did well last year the Premier League will have four qualifiers from the 2002/3 season onwards.
The Town boss welcomed it, but said Town will be thinking of other things: "Having an extra Champions' League place will be extra incentive for the Premiership clubs, but it will not be in our thoughts. Our first priority is to show we can consolidate our place in the Premiership. We are always looking to improve but that doesn't necessarily mean that we will finish higher than the fifth place we achieved last season."
Burley also warned against expectations for the new season being too high: "We showed last season we are capable of finishing in the top six, but we are not kidding ourselves that it will be easy next season. We will be working to improve as a squad and once we establish ourselves in the Premiership anything else will be a bonus."
Kieron Dyer has refuted an article in the Sun yesterday which quoted him saying Newcastle need to show ambition and buy five more players.
He said he was quoted out of context and committed himself to Newcastle: "I am proud to say I am totally committed to Newcastle United Football Club, and especially to Bobby Robson, who has been an inspiration to, not just me, but to everyone at the club."
He added that although he wanted to see more players coming in he had no plans for the showdown talks referred to in the Sun article.
Should Dyer leave Newcastle the Blues would receive a percentage of any profit made by the Tynesiders.