NEWCASTLE United defender Steve Caldwell last night conceded he could be forced to sign a new one-year contract with the club after initially rejecting the deal.

Caldwell, out of contract this summer, is hoping a shop-window opportunity with Scotland will lead to a lucrative move away from St James' Park.

But the 23-year-old centre-back hasn't ruled out putting pen to paper on the agreement United have offered. Caldwell played in the Scots' B international win over Northern Ireland at Partick on Tuesday alongside younger brother Gary, who is returning to Newcastle after his loan to Coventry.

Steve is banking on his performance being enough to secure his place today in Scotland manager Berti Vogts' squad for the friendly with New Zealand and Euro 2004 qualifier against Germany.

Caldwell, watched again by Rangers at Firhill, said: "It's still hanging in the balance where I will be playing next season.

"I would be pleased to listen to offers from anybody. But the only thing I am thinking about for the next three weeks is Scotland. Playing for Scotland puts you in the shop window.

"It may be not be entirely what I want, but I'm not ruling out going back to Newcastle.

"Sometimes you have to gamble and sadly that's the way things are in football now.''

The Scots won 2-1 at Firhill thanks to first-half goals from Sunderland striker Kevin Kyle and former Black Cats star Don Hutchison.

Meanwhile, there were conflicting signals yesterday in Newcastle's move for Lee Bowyer.

After it was reported that Bowyer was cutting short a holiday to sign a pre-contract with United, other sources claimed three rival Premiership clubs are chasing the former Leeds midfielder. That raised the prospect of a bidding war over personal terms for a player who is available on a free transfer.

But Newcastle remain confident that Bowyer will formally complete a move to Tyneside on July 1.

The England international, whose short-term deal with West Ham is officially up at the end of next month, is in line to land a five-year contract with the Magpies.

Bowyer has undergone a minor ankle operation to remove a spur which ruled him out of the climax to West Ham's ill-fated fight against relegation. But it is understood he should be fit for the start of pre-season training.

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