Prior to leaving he was bitter at being left out by Sam Allardyce and asked to play out of position by new manager Kevin Keegan, he said at the time:

"I am bitter. I was looking forward very much to coming to Newcastle after playing at Club Brugge and PSG.

Now I am not sure if this looks like a dream spell. I did not expect I would be sitting on the bench.

Once I play as right-back, then left-back. Then in right midfield, or as a defensive midfielder.

For instance, in the FA Cup fixture against Arsenal the coach wanted me to play in centre midfield like when I played against Bolton, but Enrique injured himself so I was put in defence. I don't like such rotation.

I don't want to drop out of it ahead of Euro 2008. Training (sessions) at Newcastle are of a high-quality but game practice is irreplaceable.

He (Keegan) promised to speak to us individually. I want to know his ideas and therefore know what I can expect.

I like competition, it is useful. There are four equally-talented players for my position. I admit that the team composition is up to our coach and don't complain at all.

But I think we are on the same level, I am not worse than them. Moreover, I showed some good performances at the beginning.

That is why I am so sad that I don't play as much as I wish to. That is why I don't feel as well as I felt in Brugge or in Paris. I will fight on."

At the time he had already been linked with a move to Lazio. On arriving in Rome he said the following:

"Because I want to play. I know I will not have it certain there either but I think I will be getting more chances to play there than at Newcastle.

I was not feeling well there most recently. I was playing in different positions so when this offer came I did not hesitate.

I have appeared in most of the games and did a good job. Despite that, all of a sudden I was put aside.

I hope that in the summer I will be satisfied with this decision. It was a quick one but not a rash one.

I was not feeling at Newcastle that I would be playing regularly. Lazio paid big money for me so I believe they will give me a chance. I want to make the best of it, not only for me but also for Lazio and also for the Euro 2008."

He also expressed his desire to spend many years at the club:

"I would like to spend plenty of years there, I feel I need to settle down in a high-quality club. And Lazio are of a high-quality, although they may not have been so successful lately."

This was supported by his agent Pavel Zika who said:

"Two days ago, he told me 'I want to leave'. And Lazio wanted him, he was the number one target for them. David has fulfilled his dream as he has always wanted to play in Italy or Spain,"

Lazio are now unlikely to sign the Czech Republic International on a permanent deal as offered in June, which means his return is likely.

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