Several clubs revving up their interest in Carr

9:30am Thursday 8th May 2008

STEPHEN Carr could find himself at the centre of a scramble for his signature this summer.

The 31-year-old was unsurprisingly told his services were no longer required at St James' Park after an indifferent four-season spell on Tyneside.

The right back is out of contract this summer and the fact he is available for free has alerted a host of clubs in the Premier League, Championship and north of the border.

Everton, West Ham, Celtic, Wolves, Aston Villa and QPR are all believed to be hoping to sign the player, who made just 13 appearances this season Meanwhile, Newcastle chairman Chris Mort has insisted the club won't do a Leeds'' in a bid to break into the top four.

Magpies boss Kevin Keegan this week claimed the club had no chance'' of finishing any higher than fifth during the remaining three years of his contract.

Newcastle are bankrolled by billionaire businessman Mike Ashley but Mort revealed the fear of repeating the win-or-bust policy that saw Leeds mired in debt would prevent the club spending beyond its means.

Mort said: We don't want to do a Leeds. It doesn't make sense.

This club had £100m of debt, which has now been cleared, and it would be foolish to stretch it beyond its limits.

I thought Kevin's comments were quite sensible.

I'm not sure what people's expectations are but I don't think most Newcastle fans would be greatly surprised by what he had to say.

There are those who are naturally optimistic but it does no harm to come out with some realism and say that if we get fifth, we will have done well. He's right.'' Mort insisted Keegan would have money to spend, adding: We have started talking about who we will be bringing in and Kevin will have the final say.'' ■ Jonathan Woodgate is expecting Tottenham's activity in the summer transfer market to provide plenty of competition for places as the club look for silverware in back-to-back campaigns.

Head coach Juande Ramos will bring his own players to White Hart Lane after the season ends on Sunday, with the Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o the most high-profile player linked with a move to White Hart Lane.

Spurs' best XI has picked itself on the way to winning the Carling Cup but centre-back Woodgate anticipates more options for Ramos in the summer.

Next season there is going to be a lot of competition for places,'' said the January signing from Middlesbrough. I have come to the club to try and win trophies. We want to win another one.''

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