GEORDIE midfielder Jamie McClen has confirmed his determination to meet the challenge of Hugo Viana and Jermaine Jenas by signing a new three-year contract with Newcastle United.

The home-grown McClen, whose days at St. James' Park looked to be numbered last season, is refusing to be fazed as competition intensifies in United's engine room.

Manager Bobby Robson last week splashed out £8.4m on Sporting Libson's Portuguese prodigy Viana, only four months after paying Nottingham Forest £5m for England Under-21 international Jenas.

Both players are four years younger than 23-year-old McClen and with Kieron Dyer and Gary Speed established in the central midfield positions, the Cramlington kid has his work cut out.

McClen, who had a spell on loan with Motherwell two seasons ago, made only six starts for United last term but, in the first of them, scored his first goal for the club in the FA Cup victory at Peterborough. A calf injury later ruled him out of the first-team picture, and he seemed resigned to moving on this summer.

But,with Robson's encouragement, he has resolved to fight for his place.

McClen said: "Being a Newcastle lad, I have never wanted to do anything but play for Newcastle United and signing this new contract is a great thrill for me.

"I had a good spell in the team midway through last season and just when I was really enjoying myself, and doing myself justice, the calf injury I sustained in training halted me in my tracks.

"It was obviously a major disappointment, but I'm now looking forward to pre-season training starting next month, and then trying to begin again where I left off last March."

Meanwhile, Newcastle won't give up hope of landing Ipswich defender Titus Bramble, despite having a £4.2m bid turned down.

l The first Tyne-Wear derby of the season has been switched for live coverage on Sky Sports.

Newcastle will now host Sunderland on Sunday, September 22, a day later than originally scheduled, after Northumbria Police gave their approval.

Sky have selected six of United's Premiership fixtures for live transmission in the first half of the season.

And there could be a seventh, with the opening game of the campaign at home to West Ham being considered for coverage on Monday, August 19.

Apart from the Sunderland encounter, the Magpies go live against Kevin Keegan's Manchester City at Maine Road, and at Liverpool and Manchester United.

And Newcastle's other home derby against Middlesbrough has been selected, as well as the return fixture with Liverpool on New Year's Day.

Newcastle's confirmed TV dates are: Manchester City (away) Saturday, August 24 (12.15); Liverpool (away) Monday September 2 (8.00); Sunderland (home) Sunday, September 22 (4.05); Middlesbrough (home) Monday, November 4 (8.00); Manchester United (away) Saturday, November 23 (12.15); Liverpool (home) Wednesday, January 1 (7.45).

Sunderland yesterday announced that five of their Premiership fixtures have been rearranged for the live cameras.

As well as the Newcastle clash, three other games are moved to Sundays.

The Black Cats now visit Charlton on November 3, and entertain Tottenham a week later and Liverpool on December 15.

The only Monday night match is at Bolton on October 28.

Sunderland's TV dates: Newcastle (away) Sunday, September 22 (4.05); Bolton (away) Monday, October 28 (8.00); Charlton (away) Sunday, November 3 (4.05); Tottenham (home) Sunday, November 10 (4.05); Liverpool (home) Sunday, December 15 (4.05).

The game at Leeds has also been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, 28 August, but is not a Sky match.

Boro's only other live games are the trip to Charlton and the visit of Manchester United on Boxing Day.

Boro's TV dates: Newcastle (away) Monday, November 4 (8.00); Charlton (away) Sunday, October 20 (4.05); Manchester United (home) Thursday, December 26 (4.00).

Pay-per-view games will be announced at the start of next week.

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