SPANISH Primera Liga outfit Villarreal are considering a January swoop for unsettled Newcastle United winger Laurent Robert.

Robert's life at St James' Park took another turn for the worse yesterday when the Frenchman expressed his disbelief about his role under manager Graeme Souness.

The flamboyant winger has already claimed he may have to move on when the transfer window opens for a month in the New Year and Souness is sure to be unhappy with the player's latest comments.

Robert's former club Paris St Germain and Spanish side Valencia have both been credited with an interest in recent weeks and now Villarreal coach Victor Munoz Manrigue - whose side take on Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup next week - is understood to be monitoring the situation closely.

Since Souness took over the 29-year-old has been named on the bench for eight of his nine matches and the left-midfielder's name was chanted a number of times during Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on Tyneside.

And now Robert, who voiced his concerns recently about his lack of opportunities, claims the Newcastle boss has gone back on his word of selecting the player for Premiership games on home soil.

"The first time the manager talked to me he said I am on the bench away, but at home I will play every game," said Robert.

"He changed the decision. For me, that's not very good. Now I don't know the reason why. I am not happy that I did not play."

The row is threatening to spark unrest at Newcastle at a bad time, with the Magpies travelling to Crystal Palace on Saturday aiming to improve on their poor recent form.

After an initial run of ten matches unbeaten following the installation of Souness into the managerial chair, the Scot has not tasted victory in front of the club's own supporters in any of their last three games.

But Robert, who had a number of disagreements with ex-boss Sir Bobby Robson over his workrate, insists he wants to stay at Newcastle and make them claim a top four place in the Premiership.

He said: ''I don't really know if the chairman or manager like me. I have been at Newcastle for four seasons now and I would prefer to stay here and play football.

''I have helped the team get into the Champions League and UEFA Cup. We are a big team, with a big stadium and great fans. For me, my head is 100per cent Newcastle."

The departure of Robert in January would strengthen Souness' hand in the transfer market as he looks to boost his defensive ranks by adding a new centre-back.

Despite the arrival of experienced Norwegian Ronny Johnsen, Newcastle are yet to fill the massive void left by the sale of Jonathan Woodgate to Real Madrid in August.

A number of targets are continuing to be monitored but Souness still has his sights set on Rangers' Frenchman Jean-Alain Boumsong.

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