Clarence Acuna's drugs past will have no bearing on whether Newcastle sign the South American from hard-up Universidad de Chile.

Newcastle are lining up a 1m dollar swoop for the 25-year-old midfielder even though he is currently banned from football.

Acuna is not allowed to play for club or country until September 15 after failing a drugs test earlier this year.

That hasn't stopped boss Bobby Robson controversially offering him a ten-day trial on Tyneside.

Newcastle already have four South Americans on the books - Peru skipper Nolberto Solano, Paraguayan Diego Gavilan and Argentinian duo Christian Bassedas and Daniel Cordone.

Acuna was hit by a four-month Fifa suspension after testing positive for the banned substance isoprenaline in a World Cup qualifying game against Peru in April.

But the Geordies have accepted the 52-cap schemer's claim that he's clean. Acuna, who has flown to Newcastle in a bid to clinch a deal from his club Universidad de Cle "I don't take drugs, I don't drink and I don't smoke.

"All I did was take a tablet that was given to me with a glass of water before the game.

"It was the medical staff who gave it to me and I never thought for one minute it might be a drug.

"I am an established international with my country and I would never do anything that would put my future in doubt."

Fifa accepted the player's version that he had taken the substance to combat a heavy cold but still banned him.

Acuna, one of stars of last year's Copa America, said: "I hope to create a good impression so that negotiations can open."

Newcastle, meanwhile, have signed Lyon centre back Olivier Bernard, 20, on a free transfer.

Bernard, who played in the French Under 15 and Under 16 teams, has agreed a one-year deal.

The youngster is considered a prospect for the future rather than a player to be thrown straight into Premiership action and midfielder Brian Kerr has signed a new four-year contract at St James'.

l Leicester boss Peter Taylor looks set to sign Sheffield Wednesday striker Richard Cresswell today with the two clubs understood to have agreed a fee of around £800,000.

Former York forward Cresswell becomes the 10th player to leave Hillsborough since the Owls' relegation from the FA Carling Premiership at the end of last season, and Taylor's sixth acquisition.