NEWCASTLE midfielder Charles N'Zogbia has labelled his former club 'a disgrace' for threatening to scupper his dream move to Tyneside.

N'Zogbia is expected to make his third successive start when Middlesbrough arrive at St James' Park for tonight's Tyne-Tees derby, but pulled no punches when talking about the controversial deal that took him across the Channel from Le Havre.

The 18-year-old Frenchman was thought to be another for the future when he arrived last summer, but has gone on to make 14 appearances after being thrown in at the deep end.

Former club Le Havre tried to prevent N'Zogbia making the switch from River Seine to River Tyne by claiming he was still under contract with the club.

But after compensation was agreed, a deal was sealed and the Magpies signed the teenager after impressing former boss Sir Bobby Robson following a month on trial.

N'Zogbia admitted he was unimpressed by his former club trying to retain his signature at the time and insisted he had every right to leave.

He said: "It was very difficult when Le Havre said, 'Charles has to come back' and Newcastle said, 'No, you have to stay here'.

"I just had to wait for the FIFA process. FIFA said that I could stay in Newcastle and they just had to pay compensation.

"I was not happy with my last team. Just because I had refused to sign a contract my last club chairman said I could not play, and for me it was a disgrace. In France there is a system within the club to get more experience and after that you can go wherever you want."

N'Zogbia has been one of the few positives to emerge from Newcastle's miserable season.

The midfielder has revealed more than just promise in his last two starts at Norwich and Manchester United, and is already being talked about in the same breath as other Gallic counterparts who left a memorable impression on Tyneside.

N'Zogbia may wear David Ginola's favoured No 14 shirt, but he admitted he was too young to remember the former Gallowgate idol, and it was Laurent Robert and Olivier Bernard's presence at the club, which persuaded him to sign.

"It was fantastic to get the chance to play for Newcastle," said N'Zogbia, who also admitted he is surprised at his early elevation to the starting XI. "I like Newcastle so it was a pleasure to play for them.

"Shola (Ameobi), Laurent (Robert), Jean Alain Boumsong, Amdy Faye and Olivier Bernard have all helped me settle in.

"When I first arrived here it was very difficult for me because I couldn't speak English.

"But now I've had some lessons and I can understand it a lot better. The Geordie accent is difficult to understand, though."

N'Zogbia confessed both Robert and Bernard had tipped him off about the passion and fanaticism of the Geordie faithful before he stepped out on to the hallowed St James' Park turf, but even he admits it didn't prepare him for playing in front of 52,000 partisan fans.

"The first time when you come to St James' Park and you see the fans you feel nervous, and excited, but now it's OK," said N'Zogbia.

"I was nervous when the manager told me I would play but I tried to come in and do the best I could for the team."

* On-loan striker Craig Bellamy has been ruled out of action for up to three weeks with a hamstring injury.

The Wales international had been in excellent form for Celtic since joining the club from Newcastle. However, after terrorising the Rangers' defence in the 2-1 win at Ibrox on Sunday, the 25-year-old pulled up with an injury early in the second half.

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