LAURENT ROBERT is keen to commit his long-term future to Newcastle United and sign a new contract to help the club become one of Europe's superpowers.

Robert, 27, has more than three years still to run on the deal he signed when he joined Newcastle from Paris St Germain before the start of last season.

But he is determined to remain part of Sir Bobby Robson's Tyneside revolution after seeing the team make huge strides.

Robert has been strongly linked with a move to Internazionale in recent months, and injuries have affected his form this season.

But he said: "I'd like to sign another contract when my deal finishes. I want to stay for a long time, and why can't I do that?

"My contract finishes in three years, but I like Newcastle, and my family like it here.

"Good young players like Jermaine Jenas are all going to become big stars.

"There aren't many better places to play than Newcastle, and I want to win the title in the next three years."

Robert wants Robson to make further high-profile buys this summer - adding to the acquisition of Darren Ambrose - to increase the depth of a squad that performed admirably in the Champions League.

The Newcastle manager will enter the transfer market armed with funds raised from the club's European odyssey.

Robert said: "We need one or two more signings then we'll compete with Arsenal and Manchester United. We hope to be a very good team in Europe, and to do that you need a strong squad.

"But we've learnt a lot from the Champions League and next season we will be better."

Robert dismisses criticism of his playing style and claims Robson is content with the defensive aspect of his game.

The winger insists he is making more of an effort to help his teammates and track back when the opposition have the ball.

Robert added: "Those who say I'm not working hard enough are not watching the same game. Everyone is happy."

* Christian Vieri as last night cleared of making racist remarks towards Newcastle United's Lomana LuaLua by UEFA.

Vieri was alleged to have racially abused LuaLua during the Magpies' Champions League clash with Inter Milan on March 11 and the referee reported the incident to European football's governing body.

But UEFA believe the Inter forward has done nothing wrong and Vieri is delighted his name has been cleared.

"I am upset about this," said the former Atletico Madrid front-man, who protested his innocence soon after the allegations were made.

"Whoever knows me knows what type of a person I am.

''It's absolutely untrue. When you are on the field so many things happen and so many words are spoken, but not this kind of thing."

LuaLua was booked in the closing stages of the match at the San Siro stadium after a bust-up with Vieri, with the Congo DR international claiming: "Vieri wasn't alone in insulting me. There was another Inter player, but I don't remember who it was.

"The club decided to complain because people saw what happened. They didn't only make insults against me, but against Titus Bramble, too. I'm not referring to the boos coming from the stands, but to opposition players."

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