NEWCASTLE United would have loaned the super-kid duo of Darren Ambrose and Darren Bent back to Ipswich Town if they had signed them in a £3million deal.

By Dave Allard

NEWCASTLE United would have loaned the super-kid duo of Darren Ambrose and Darren Bent back to Ipswich Town if they had signed them in a £3million deal.

Sir Bobby Robson's Premiership giants made their double swoop after the transfer window had closed.

However, the Magpies' move, which was made to Town's administrators, was rejected.

Blues chairman David Sheepshanks says that he is disappointed that St James' Park chairman Freddie Shepherd did not contact him.

A top Tyneside source said today: "Newcastle are not desperate for either player. They couldn't play here this season as the offer came after the deadline. It must be realised that they wouldn't get in the first team here anyway at the moment even if they were allowed to play, such is the strength of the squad.

"There would be no point either player coming here now, so the plan was to make a £3million investment for the future and let Ipswich have the players back on loan to help continue in their promotion bid."

Sheepshanks said: "I am very disappointed that Newcastle United have found it appropriate to make an offer to the administrators with no contact to me, Joe Royle, or anyone else at the club.

"It was an opportunistic and derisory move on their part. It was a pity they did not make a move in January when the transfer window was open."

He added: "There is no question of any cut-price deals just because of our current financial plight."

An official spokesman for Newcastle stressed that the club had not acted improperly.