NEWCASTLE United's hopes of beating Coventry in the chase for striker Craig Bellamy were scuppered by Duncan Ferguson's cash wrangle with the Magpies.

Everton yesterday officially announced that Ferguson's £4m return to Goodison Park was off, while Bellamy underwent a medical after Norwich accepted a £6.5m offer from Coventry for the Welsh international.

It spelt frustration for United boss Bobby Robson, who had kept in close touch with Norwich counterpart Bryan Hamilton over his interest in 21-year-old Bellamy, also watched by Middlesbrough last season.

Bellamy is now set to make his debut against Boro at Highfield Road on Saturday.

Newcastle boss Robson, meanwhile, has an unhappy striker on his hands in Ferguson, whose career has been left in limbo by the collapse of his Everton reunion.

Ferguson looks to have been hoist with his own petard after holding out for a hefty settlement from Newcastle, which chairman Freddy Shepherd refused to pay.

The patience of Everton boss Walter Smith wore thin when Ferguson and his agent, Dennis Roach, twice cancelled a medical at Goodison and asked for more time to sort out their differences with Newcastle.

But yesterday Everton issued a statement saying: "We have today been informed that the proposed transfer of Duncan Ferguson will not take place.

"A medical had been arranged for Monday. That had been delayed until Tuesday at the request of the player's agent.

"However, the club were informed on Tuesday morning that the medical would not be taking place and today we were informed that Duncan Ferguson was unable to agree the terms of his release from Newcastle, and that the transfer was off.''

Injury-ridden Ferguson, who joined Newcastle from Everton in an £8m deal almost 21 months ago, could now face an angry backlash from fans.

The 28-year-old frontman trained with Newcastle yesterday and a club spokesman said: "He's a Newcastle player and available for selection.''

Robson had hoped to use money from the sale of Ferguson to help finance a move for hot property Bellamy.

Coventry chief Bryan Richardson, who claimed three Premiership clubs and one First Division side had also wanted Bellamy, declared: "It's fantastic news for the club, especially considering the calibre of opposition we were up against. Gordon Strachan has had tabs on him for some time.''

The Sky Blues moved for Bellamy as a replacement for Robbie Keane, who joined Inter Milan in a £13m deal.

Bellamy has agreed a five-year contract, and with Peruvian Ysrael Zuniga and John Aloisi doubtful for the Boro clash, he is expected to go straight into the side alongside Belgian frontman Cedric Roussel.

l FRENCH Under-21 left-back Didier Domi, a reported £5m target for Spanish giants Valencia, yesterday insisted he wants to stay with Newcastle.

Domi gave boss Bobby Robson a boost when he declared himself fit to be considered for Sunday's Premiership opener against champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The former Paris St. Germain player, signed by former boss Ruud Gullit for £4m in December 1998, was sent home from Newcastle's pre-season tour of America to see a specialist about a rib problem.

Having been given the all-clear, he then jarred a toe in the Reserves' 9-0 win at Blyth on Tuesday.

But yesterday Domi allayed fears over his fitness and stressed: "I'll be ready for Sunday, if the manager wants to play me.''

And on his future, the 21-year-old maintained: "I've heard so many things.

" People have been in touch with my agent, but he knows I'm happy here.''