NEWCASTLE United ace Laurent Robert left passengers flying on a wing and a prayer when he inadvertently caused a full-scale bomb scare on a flight home to France.

The French wing wizard was shown the red card by fellow passengers after a language mix-up meant his packed flight had to be diverted to Gatwick.

The Gallic gaffe happened when flight crew spotted an unattended bag in one of the aisles. Not wanting to panic passengers, air stewards asked passengers individually if the luggage was theirs.

But Robert, whose English is not yet up to scratch, did not understand the request so the captain, fearing a bomb attack in the current high security climate, diverted to Gatwick for an emergency landing.

The sheepish French international then apologised to fellow passengers for inadvertently causing the two-hour delay in getting to Paris. The club would not confirm or deny if the 26-year-old was now stepping up his English lessons.

A club spokesman said: "Laurent speaks very little English and without the help of an interpreter, does find it difficult to communicate.

"However, he has asked us to pass on his sincere apologies to his fellow passengers."

Robert was on leave from first team duties for a few days when he caught British European Airlines flight AF3025 from Newcastle Airport. An airline spokeswoman said of the incident: "He probably felt a bit silly."