By Matthew Jones
October 28 2003

Magpies' and former England manager Sir Bobby Robson has furiously dismissed any suggestions that he is against his players representing their country, despite recent clashes with Nolberto Solano, Lomana LuaLua, and now Craig Bellamy over their international commitments. Magpies' boss Sir Bobby Robson has furiously dismissed any suggestions that he is against his players representing their country.

The former England manager has recently clashed with Nolberto Solano, Lomana LuaLua, and now Craig Bellamy over their international commitments, but insists that he does not want to put any pressure on to his Newcastle players to give up playing for their national sides.

"People have misrepresented me," said the United boss. "I have no problems about my players going off to play for their countries.

"I don't argue with [Gary] Speed, Aaron Hughes, Andy O'Brien or LuaLua going away, Shola Ameobi going off with England Under-21s or Hugo Viana going to Portugal."

Robson does admit that the recent problem of Craig Bellamy returning from Wales duty injured (AGAIN!) and Nobby Solano's regular long-haul flights to South America - are a cause for concern.

"What's happened with Craig is that he missed that week early in the season when we had three defeats, but on the Saturday night after game against Manchester United, he couldn't get in the taxi quick enough to go to Cardiff to play," added Robson.

"That was my only argument with Craig Bellamy.

"And my fight with Nobby is that he agreed that with his new contract, he would give up international football."

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