NEWCASTLE UNITED target Paul Konchesky has revealed he could be forced to quit Charlton Athletic.

The Magpies have been monitoring the 20-year-old's services in recent months and manager Sir Bobby Robson has been considering a swoop.

Robson is keen to add a left-back to his squad ahead of next season's Champions League and Premiership campaigns and Konchesky is on his list of possibilities.

And the £5m-rated youngster admits that he could be tempted to move away from The Valley after another season where he has struggled to command a regular first team place.

"I think next season will be a big one for me," said Konchesky. "I need to nail down a place as a starter for Charlton. If it does not happen I will have to tell them I need to move on.

"I have always been a left-back and, even though it has not always been the case for England, there is a lot of strong competition for that position now. I have ambitions to break into the senior squad and stay there and I need to be playing at left-back for my club to do that."

The defender, who can also play in midfield, won his first England cap earlier this year when he took on Australia at Upton Park.

The left-back position proved a problem one for Robson.

Out-of-favour Robbie Elliott and Frenchman Olivier Bernard both battled for that role last season and at times right-footed Aaron Hughes filled in.

Robson is also known to want Southampton's Wayne Bridge but Saints boss Gordon Strachan insists the England man is going nowhere.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are demanding £750,000 for defender Steve Caldwell.

The 22-year-old is out of contract this summer and is expected to move to either Scottish giants Rangers or Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon - there has already been talk of an imminent bid in the region of £250,000.

United are likely to choose to go through the independent tribunal route, as he is under the age of 24, and are hoping for a favourable outcome for the Scotland star.

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