ALBERT Luque feels lucky to be alive after watching on in horror as a truck ploughed into his stationary car just outside Newcastle Airport.

Luque's Porsche 4x4 was heading away from the airport when he pulled over after a puncture, with the 28-year-old admitting he was returning home after arriving for Wednesday's team flight to Frankfurt minus his passport.

The £9.5m signing was beside his Porsche Cayenne, talking on his mobile phone, when the tipper truck careered into the back of the vehicle, with the 11-times capped Spain international forced to jump clear to avoid being hit.

"I have been told the car is a complete write off, impossible to repair," said Luque.

"It was scary but fortunately I saw the wagon coming. I was standing behind my car because I had a puncture, I was talking on my phone and I saw the wagon coming.

"I dived out of the way and jumped into a ditch. I was worried the wagon hadn't seen my car. It was fortunate I looked up.

"If I had not dived, I probably would not have been here now. In fact, I feel lucky to be alive. If I had not seen the wagon, or if I had been sitting in my car, I would not be here today."

After the accident Luque had to wait for the police to arrive, so arrangements were made to pick up another flight at Manchester Airport.

Traffic problems meant he also missed that flight and it was close to midnight when he eventually linked up with his team-mates at their hotel in the German city.

Despite this manager Glenn Roeder started him in Thursday's UEFA Cup game against Eintracht Frankfurt, when another below-par display saw him substituted after an hour.

"When I arrived at the airport, I realised I had forgotten my passport. That is why I was returning home. It was on my way back home that the accident happened.

"You could say it was not my day. I have had better days. But my name is the right name for me because maybe I am lucky.

"The manager said he still wanted me to play because I do not get a lot of opportunity. But maybe it was not the best day for me to e playing with everything that had happened.

"It could have been so much worse. How can I be upset about being subbed after what could have happened."

Luque revealed that chairman Freddy Shepherd has told him that if any club makes an acceptable offer for the player who has endured a miserable 15 months at Newcastle, he will be the first to know.

Real Betis and Villarreal are the two clubs believed to be interested in taking the player back to La Liga

"I've heard the stories from back home about the clubs wanting me," said Luque.

"The reports say I am not happy, but that is not true.

"I am training hard and waiting for my opportunity.

"But the chairman has told me that if an offer is made and it is acceptable to the club, he will tell me and let me decide.

"But I haven't heard from the chairman yet."