NEWCASTLE UNITED defender Wayne Quinn last night joined West Ham United on loan for a month.

Quinn, put on the transfer list by Sir Bobby Robson at the end of last season, has not played for the Newcastle first team since August 2002.

The left-back, who spent two months on loan at Sheffield United at the start of the year, is likely to make his West Ham debut at home to Reading on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Indian club Mohun Bagan are making an audacious swoop for Newcastle striker Michael Chopra.

Bagan assistant secretary Balaram Chowdhury said: "We are trying to bring in Michael Chopra before the start of our league season. It is not yet finalised but negotiations are ongoing."

More than two years after making his Republic of Ireland debut, Andy O'Brien's international career is finally poised to get off the ground.

The Newcastle United centre-back is favourite to partner Sunderland's Gary Breen in the heart of the Ireland defence for next month's decisive Euro 2004 qualifier with Switzerland.

With Kenny Cunningham suspended for the game in Basel, O'Brien faces a straight fight with Manchester City man Richard Dunne to replace him.

O'Brien, 24, has won just seven caps but he impressed Republic coach Brian Kerr when he started Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Turkey.

Kerr said: "Andy did well. He's one of the players in contention for the Switzerland."

O'Brien was with the Republic at last summer's World Cup, plus recent visits to Iran, Albania and Georgia, but those trips yielded just two minutes of action.

At Lansdowne Road this week, however, he played for 76 minutes and he believes he has finally prised open the international door.

O'Brien said: "It's been a case of limited chances so far. I've not played much in the qualifiers and I've just had a half here and there in friendlies.

"Previously, it was hard for some of us to get a look-in. But now I feel as though there's a chance for me to get a game."

Meanwhile, Sir Bobby Robson has been backed to ride out the storm of criticism that has hit Newcastle since their three successive home defeats.

Coach John Carver said: "It's a case of going from hero to zero in the space of a week. To be honest, all of us have deserved some of the criticism that has been levelled at this football club.

"But the gaffer has seen it all before and he dealt with it then, and I'm sure he'll do the same this time around.

"When you look back at how much he's achieved at St James' Park in such a short time, it's remarkable."

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