A businessman took £10.5m Newcastle star Lauren Robert to court after the French winger failed to pay a £223 satellite TV bill.

The 28-year-old, who earns £30,000 per week, called in Tyneside expert Stephen Langdown to install Sky TV and a second dish to receive French digital channels like Canal +.

The star also requested that the system be connected to every room in his plush Northumberland home in the picturesque village of Heddon-on-the-Wall.

In April Mr Langdown started legal proceedings over the outstanding 10 month debt at Newcastle County Court, he said.

The Newcastle number 32, who helped his club win a Champions League place this season by finishing fourth in the Premiership, was ordered to pay the £223, plus interest and costs, making a total of £273.80.

Mr Langdown, boss of Newcastle-based firm Xmp, said he had received a cheque from the player this morning.

He added that he was sad he had to take the matter to the small claims court.

''It's not as if he is short of cash. It is said the gentleman doesn't speak very good English.

''But it was good enough to explain what he wanted fitted and where.''

"We are a small firm and we rely on our customers paying promptly. We did a good job and there has been no complaint from Mr Robert about the work."

Robert contacted Xmp within weeks of arriving on Tyneside in August 2001 after signing for United from French club Paris St Germaine.

Xmp, based in the Lynnwood Business Centre, on Westgate Road, Newcastle, has installed satellite TV for around 20 of Newcastle United's foreign players including Laurent Charvet, Alain Goma and Stephane Givarch.

Former Sunderland star Thomas Helmer even posted on a £300 cheque to Xmp after being sold to Germany's Hertha Berlin.

Robert, who answerd the door of his home in his Yves Saint Laurent boxer shorts explained that his refusal to pay was due to the language barrier. He said: "My English is very bad."