birmingham city supremo David Sullivan has revealed that Newcastle United's Lee Bowyer turned down the chance to sign for Blues because he feared being attacked.

The Midlands club were hopeful of persuading the controversial midfielder to change his mind on rejecting a move to St Andrew's after a minority of supporters petitioned against his arrival.

But, after Sullivan and manager Steve Bruce urged fans to show their support, a poll showed 94 per cent backed Bowyer becoming a City player.

However, Bowyer, who admitted affray after being caught on video throwing chairs at two Asian staff at a McDonald's in 1996, has refused to change his mind.

Birmingham agreed to almost match the 28-year-old's £38,000-a-week Newcastle wages, but he is now determined to move to a London or French club.

And Sullivan claims Bowyer - whose camp did not wish to comment last night - was worried about the prospect of playing in a city with a large ethnic community.

"I'd like to thank those fans who got behind us and made it clear how much we wanted to see him in our team," said Sullivan.

"When he spoke to Steve right at the start, his first question was 'what about the big Asian population in Birmingham?'

"Steve, we thought, had talked him round that one, but it became clear it was still an issue.

"He was genuinely worried that one night there would be ten Asians waiting outside his house ready to kick seven bells out of him. He told us yesterday that he would only leave Newcastle if a London club came in for him, or one from France.

"Why France? Apparently he likes it and believes he could live quite anonymously over there."

Bowyer is likely to have been put off a move to St Andrew's by the way a section of West Ham supporters disapproved of his transfer to Upton Park in January 2003.

And the former Leeds man, also acquitted of all charges in relation to an attack on an Asian student in Leeds in January 2000, is now looking elsewhere for new employers.

Only Birmingham have officially attempted to sign Bowyer this summer but he has been linked with a move back to first club Charlton.

When Bowyer does leave he could be replaced in the Newcastle squad by former World Player of the Year Luis Figo.

Magpies boss Graeme Souness confirmed there has been contact between the player and St James' Park but no deal is imminent.

Figo, one of Real Madrid's galacticos, is available on a free and fancies a move to the Premiership.

And Souness, also chasing Turkish midfielder Emre, said: "There is an interest there as far as Luis Figo is concerned, but we do not want to say anymore."

Figo's reported £4.6m-a-year wages are a stumbling block, with Newcastle keen to avoid a repeat of the way Patrick Kluivert failed to provide value for money during his one season on Tyneside.

l Former Newcastle defender Glenn Roeder has been handed a return to the club as Academy manager. The 49-year-old has accepted the new post after the job of Academy director, which was held by former first-team coach John Carver, was discontinued.

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