NEWCASTLE United winger Stephen Glass could be in for a birthday surprise.

Scottish international Glass, 25 tomorrow, is booked for crunch talks with United boss Bobby Robson.

And free agent Glass may have done enough to earn himself a shock contract reprieve.

Glass, whose three years with United have been blighted by injury problems, strengthened his claims for a new deal when he opened the scoring in Saturday's 3-0 home win over Aston Villa.

Robson has been impressed with Glass's contribution in recent outings and the pair will meet to see if they can find some common ground.

Glass, linked with Rangers, has an open mind about his future, and Robson said: "I've given him the chance to show me what he can do. He's done fine, but I don't know what he's thinking.''

Glass's strike in the final game of the season was his third this term, even though he has started only six matches.

In fact, two of Glass's goals, at home to Derby and Manchester United, came as a substitute.

While Glass could yet have a role to play with Newcastle, others at St. James' Park are heading for the exit.

Fellow Scot Kevin Gallacher has been handed a free transfer, with Everton and Coventry leading the chase for the 34-year-old frontman, who was Robson's first signing for Newcastle in a £500,000 move from Blackburn.

The Magpies have also decided against taking up an option on Argentinian striker Daniel Cordone, even though they could make his move permanent without any additional cost to the £500,000 they paid to bring him to Tyneside from Racing Club Buenos Aires.

Midfielder Des Hamilton is being freed and could join Cardiff, while centre-back Marcelino has no future at St. James' and may return to Spain this summer in a cut-price deal, two years after his £5m-plus arrival from Real Mallorca.

Meanwhile, Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed has pulled out of tonight's end-of-season friendly at Exeter to prepare for contract talks with chairman Freddy Shepherd.

Speed, who has only a year left on his existing deal, wants to tie himself to Newcastle for the rest of his career.

Formal discussions between Speed, his agent Hayden Evans, and Shepherd are due to begin tomorrow.

The 31-year-old Wales skipper is also to appeal against the first sending-off of his career.

Newcastle are backing Speed, who looked to be harshly banished along with Aston Villa's Ian Taylor following a late altercation.

Referee Barry Knight deemed the tussle violent conduct and Speed faces the threat of a three-match ban at the start of next season.

Speed said: "This is almost too horrible to contemplate. The first game of any season is always special and it will be awful if I have to sit it out because of what happened on Saturday. It will ruin my summer."

"I didn't throw a punch or anything like that and I am gutted at being sent off. It's the first time I have ever been sent off.''

Taylor is also lodging an appeal.

l Villa's former Newcastle star David Ginola, who clashed with manager John Gregory when he was hauled off before half-time, could be a target for Jean Tigana's Fulham.