NEWCASTLE have hit back angrily at claims that French defender Didier Domi is set to quit the club because manager Bobby Robson is behind the times.

An Internet report on the website Football 365.com, which was picked up by news organisations, claimed that the former Paris St Germain full-back was ready to pack his bags and head home after failing to claim a regular starting berth at St James' Park.

In addition, he was reported as suggesting that Robson's methods on the training pitch were old-fashioned and not what he needs to get himself back to top form.

Robson called the 22-year-old into his office for urgent talks yesterday morning, and then summoned the media to a hastily-arranged press conference at St James' Park in the afternoon.

There, with Domi sitting stony-faced on his right, he read an agreed statement from the player.

"The stories are a total distortion,'' he said. ''I have not made any such statements to any members of the Press criticising the training methods of Mr Robson, who is highly regarded throughout the world of football.

''The extracts which appeared in the Football 365.com are a total fabrication of an interview I did with Le Parisian.

''The contents of that website are neither fair nor accurate and I think it only right that the public should be made aware of that.''

According to the website report Domi said: ''With Bobby Robson, the training sessions are like those in days gone by. I need to work a lot, but we don't train much and I'm not at the top of my game.

''I'm not going to fulfil my true potential at Newcastle. Does that mean I want to fulfil it elsewhere? Why not?

"At the moment I am a Newcastle player, but anything is possible.''

Domi was former manager Ruud Gullit's second signing after the Dutchman's surprise swoop for Duncan Ferguson, and the £4m United paid PSG for his services was thought to be an astute investment for a then 20-year-old who had come through the French ranks with Nicolas Anelka. But speculation over the last few months has linked him with moves to both Liverpool and Valencia.

In the meantime, Robson needs him to fight for a place as he struggles to cope with a seemingly endless injury list, and the knowledge that fellow Gullit acquisitions Marcelino and Alain Goma are keen to leave Tyneside.

With Robson desperately trying to re-shuffle his pack ahead of tomorrow's Premiership clash with Bradford City, he could have done without the distraction of the Domi affair.

However, he has at least been given some good news by skipper Alan Shearer's return to light training after a third steroid injection on his injured knee.

Shearer has missed United's last two games, but he is determined to make it for the weekend, although with the busy holiday programme fast approaching, he will not be risked if he is not ready.

''Things are going fine,'' he said. ''I did some jogging yesterday, something I could not have done before the injection.