SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night pleaded with his Newcastle United players to repay the club's faith in them after insisting he has never had any intention of stepping down as manager at St James' Park.

Internet rumours that Robson had quit on Tuesday prompted United to take the unconventional step of releasing a statement to the Stock Exchange, strenuously denying the claims.

The St James' switchboard was jammed with calls from anxious fans as ill-informed talk that 70-year-old Robson had resigned spread quickly.

Newcastle are second bottom in the Premiership and still seeking their first League win this season after collecting only three points from six games. But Robson declared: "I've never jumped ship in my life, I've never wanted to not fight a good fight in my life, and I've been in football over 50 years as a player and manager.

"It's never been in my head to resign. When I heard about what was being said, I was absolutely flabbergasted. I was astounded and I laughed - it was just outrageous.

"The spin is tremendous and it goes all over the world in a minute and reaches millions and millions of people.

"We were unlucky to lose at Arsenal on Friday - everybody said we deserved a point - and we'll get it right.

"The players on the pitch will get us through. We have to give them all of our support and all of our guidance. This club doesn't let those players down, and those players mustn't let this club down. That's what we're asking of them.

"There's a great belief in the club; we're Geordie people, we love the club and have an adoring public.

"I got out of my car this morning and a bloke I have never met in my life said: 'I hope you're not listening to the idiots who are creating these stupid stories. Just carry on, because for every person who is doubting anything here at Newcastle, there are 52,000 who think the club is in great shape.''

Chairman Freddy Shepherd, who appointed Robson as successor to Ruud Gullit four years ago, reaffirmed his belief in the former England boss.

"I endorse Bobby's position as manager totally - it's never been in question,'' said Shepherd.

"Bobby's a Geordie and, like all true Geordies, he is no quitter. To slightly misquote Mark Twain, talk of Bobby's demise was grossly exaggerated.

"Bobby had no idea we had been inundated with hundreds of calls. In the end, we had to put out a statement because, as a plc with shares going up and down, the Stock Exchange felt it was better if we circulated a notice saying Bobby had not resigned.

"Bobby was busy doing what he is paid to do and what he does best - and that is training his players.

"We have a very important home game against Southampton on Saturday and that is the main thing on the minds of Bobby and the players.''

Striker Craig Bellamy is battling to be fit for the must-win clash. The Welsh international insists he is working harder than ever in a bid to stave off the effects of chronic knee problems.

And he admits it is the only way he can safeguard his career. Bellamy, whose despair recently was such that Robson had to talk him out of giving up the game, said: "I'm 24 and I can't keep going on with these sort of injuries; I've had five operations on my knees already.

"But it is something I'm learning to deal with. I'm working hard -- I'm working harder than I ever have done on my knees.

"I'm spending a lot of time with the physio and, at the moment, I'm feeling really good.

"I've been training in the morning and doing a bit of work before I train, and then doing my rehabilitation in the afternoons.

"But I need to do it to feel good in games and I am responding very well to the treatment.

"I'm just looking forward to getting my season up and running. It is not nice, stopping and starting, especially early in the season.

"I need as many games as I can get to get my sharpness back.''

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