CHELSEA are eyeing Newcastle's French defender Alain Goma as a replacement for want-away Frank Leboeuf at Stamford Bridge.

Claudio Ranieri's interest has been put on ice while Goma recovers from a broken hand, and the Italian is also known to be keen on a move for Middlesbrough's Gianluca Festa.

But Bobby Robson will fight to keep the £4.5m stopper after describing Goma as one of the best centrebacks in the Premiership.

The Newcastle boss is hoping that a recall to the France squad will help persuade Goma rethink his decision on a move following a transfer request earlier in the season.

That's why the Geordies are ready to do all they can to get Goma fit to play in the international friendly with Germany in two weeks time.

Robson was resigned to losing the 28-year-old stopper, but he has since done a U-turn and clearly wants him to stay.

However Goma remains keen to move to a big city club and did his prospects no harm with an impressive display at Chelsea in a 3-1 defeat at the end of last month.

Newcastle would insist on at least getting their money back on the defender who joined from Paris St Germain two years ago.

But Robson is in no hurry to sell after claiming: "I don't think there have been many better centre halves in the Premiership over the last three or four months.

"Goma asked for a transfer but that hasn't stopped him being our best defender. He's a powerhouse and he has done great for us. He deserves his international recall."

Robson confirmed that Newcastle hope to get clearance to play Goma against Manchester City next weekend with a lightweight cast on his broken hand.

Meanwhile Alan Shearer returned to full training yesterday in La Manga for the first time since undergoing knee surgery almost two months ago.

lSheffield United assistant manager Kevin Blackwell believes Newcastle's £1m man Wayne Quinn can make it in the Premiership. The 24-year-old's month-long loan at St James' Park ran out at the weekend, and he is now with the Magpies at their training camp in La Manga, Spain.

Blackwell reckons Quinn, who has been capped at England B, and U-21 level, has the ability to be a real star. He said."He has the ability to go on from here and we will miss him as a player.''

Blades chairman Derek Dooley and his Newcastle counterpart Freddy Shepherd are thrashing out the final details of Quinn's switch to St James Park