LAURENT ROBERT last night accused Dennis Bergkamp of conning referee Neale Barry in getting the Newcastle United winger controversially sent off last Sunday.

Robert is furious that Barry showed him the red card after Bergkamp used his "cunning" to claim his attempts to take a quick free-kick had been frustrated by the Frenchman.

He said: "It was very cunning, and unfortunately for me the referee fell into the trap. Like everyone, I couldn't believe it.

"I can say that I was completely fed up with the sending off. I had just equalised and was playing well, so it was a terrible blow.

"I thought that the referee was very severe, and even Arsenal's French players told me that it was not deserved.

"All my teammates were behind me and supporting me. It felt good to leave the ground with the support of my teammates, even though the referee made an error.

"But I cannot be upset with him because everyone can be mistaken.

"As happens all the time at free-kicks, I stood in front of the ball to allow my team to regain their shape.

"Bergkamp had the ball in his hands, and as soon as I was one foot away he put it on the ground and took the free-kick immediately.

"Obviously, the ball hit me, and the referee then sent me off."

Robert's comments came as Australia winger Brett Emerton, who counts Sir Bobby Robson among his admirers, spoke of his desire to play in the Premiership.

Emerton, who will play against England tonight, was wanted by Newcastle before they signed Robert before last season.

He said: "I'm disappointed I didn't get to go to England, which has been a dream of mine since I was a young boy.

"I feel in good shape, and now it's important I perform well against England.

"If I do that, I think the opportunity will be there to move abroad in the future."

Emerton played against Newcastle for Feyenoord in this season's Champions League and impressed in the game at St James' Park, which the Dutch giants won 1-0.

He added: "I've been playing more defensively than I would like for Feyenoord. Because of that, I enjoy playing for the national team as I get the opportunity to play in the position I'm best in."

* Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr was yesterday finding out about the harsh realities of international management after injury and illness affected his plans for tonight's friendly against Scotland.

Kerr, who insists he will not allow the demands of club managers to turn such games into meaningless matches, makes his bow in the international arena today at Hampden Park.

Fulham defender Steve Finnan missed training as he tried to shake off a cold, skipper Kenny Cunningham returned home because of a hamstring problem and Southampton's Rory Delap misses the game because of a domestic problem.

''I have a couple of little problems but if the Steve Finnan situation is sorted then I have a clear team in my mind.''

Mick McCarthy's successor has agreed with Berti Vogts to deploy eight substitutes, but he will refuse to turn the match into a farce.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.