ROBBIE Elliott has welcomed new signing Craig Moore to Newcastle United - despite his arrival pushing him further down the pecking order.

Moore has put pen to a deal which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2007.

United had originally offered the former Rangers captain a year with a view to an extension should things go well on Tyneside, but Moore, who became a free agent after Borussia Monchengladbach cancelled his contract for an alleged breach of club rules, had initially demanded a three-year deal before the compromise was met.

Elliott was offered only a year's contract with reduced wages but the United fans' favourite has taken a philosophical approach to Moore's arrival.

"It's Newcastle United," shrugged Elliott, who played in the Magpies second string's 4-0 victory over Hartlepool on Friday.

"It'd be a sad state of affairs if there wasn't competition for places.

"It's another player who has come in, and another experienced player who can help the squad and I'm sure he will."

Elliott's future at the club however, remains unclear and not just because of Moore's arrival.

The extra year manager Graeme Souness gave to the 31-year-old should keep him at the club until the end of the season at the very least.

But, following Andy O'Brien's departure to Portsmouth, even after he signed improved terms earlier this year, Elliott confessed he remains uncertain where he will be in the foreseeable future.

"You just never know what is around the corner, more so at Newcastle than any other club," said Elliott, who also revealed he was sold without manager Kenny Daglish's knowledge in his first spell at the club.

"It was great to get the extra year as it gave me a bit more confidence. I played more last season than I thought I would and hopefully this year will be the same.

"But I'm not sure what will happen with me, we'll have to wait and see. I just want to be involved. Just to be at a club like Newcastle is fantastic.

"But you can't plan anything, and it's an amazing club to play for. It's one that keeps you on your toes and I just want to be involved in as many games as I can."

Elliott hopes to play some part in Newcastle's Intertoto Cup semi-final second leg tie against Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday.

The Spaniards arrive on Tyneside with a one-goal advantage following their 2-1 win at the Estadio Municipal de Riazor last week.

But Elliott believes the Magpies have the upper hand.

He insists they should progress to the final - against either Lazio or Marseilles - courtesy of Lee Bowyer's vital away goal and the availability of more first-team players.

"We've got a very tough game on Wednesday," he admitted.

"But you've got to look at the players who might be coming back for that game, Scott Parker and Emre are two quality players and I'm sure they will bring a lot to the club. Hopefully we will see one or both on Wednesday.

"We need a good start, we all know that. Deportivo are a fantastic side and we have just got to hope we can get a goal and defend well and hopefully they'll not travel as well.

"The away goal was vital. Some people say we didn't deserve it, it was our only shot on target, but it keeps the tie wide open."

With the tie evenly balanced in Spain, United, not for the first time, had to rely on the Premiership's most consistent goalkeeper to keep their UEFA Cup hopes alive.

Shay Given, who this weekend admitted he will assess his United future at the end of the season, pulled off several superb saves to keep the Magpies in the tie. Elliott believes the United shot-stopper will play another important part in seeing the club through to their second Intertoto Cup final in four years.

"There were a couple of great saves by Shay," said Elliott.

"It's a bit harsh but you don't expect the ball to go past him. Sometimes he doesn't get the credit he deserves but in the dressing room the lads all know what a valuable member of the side he is and he showed that again last Wednesday."

Deportivo's Spanish rivals Celta Vigo have agreed a one-year loan deal with United for midfielder Hugo Viana, with the option of signing him permanently.

* Former Newcastle forward Lomana LuaLua is expected to be fit for the start of the season despite the striker being taken off during yesterday's 2-0 defeat to Inter Milan at Fratton Park.

LuaLua was substituted after receiving a slight knock, with the 24-year-old impressing against the Italian giants.

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