Kluivert is happy to stay with Newcastle

14 April 2012

Patrick Kluivert has pledged to repay the faith shown in him by Newcastle manager Graeme Souness.

The 28-year-old Dutch striker is yet to make an impression on Tyneside, but Souness - whose side play Heerenveen in the UEFA Cup tonight - has confirmed he turned down an offer from Spanish side Osasuna for him during the January transfer window.

Kluivert has responded by vowing to resurrect his career with an extended stay in the North-east.

He said: "I didn't start something six months ago just to leave halfway through. Whatever anyone says or writes, I don't plan on going anywhere in the summer.

"I want to be a success at Newcastle and I don't just mean until the end of the season, but after that, too.

"I heard yesterday, like everyone else, that Osasuna had a bid for me rejected in the January transfer window. I didn't know anything about it but I'm glad Newcastle rejected the offer.

"I believe it shows the management still have faith in me and, anyway, I would not have wanted to leave.

"If the club had told me about this offer, I would have told them I didn't want to go. It's as simple as that.

"I don't think the Newcastle fans have seen the best of me yet. Now is my chance."

Meanwhile, Andy O'Brien is glad Newcastle are away from home for the first leg of their Cup tie in Holland tonight.

"We haven't been winning as many games at home as we would have liked this season, so it would be good to get a favourable result out in Holland so we don't have a mountain to climb in the game at St James' Park," said the Republic of Ireland defender.

"We won't be going gung-ho, but we will be approaching the game wanting to win it, there's no doubt about that."

O'Brien is set to play in the match at the Abe Lenstra Stadium as French centre-half Jean-Alain Boumsong, who was signed from Rangers last month, is cup-tied.

Newcastle will be without fluvictim Kieron Dyer and fellow midfielder Nicky Butt, who has an ankle problem.

Both are doubts for Sunday's home FA Cup fifth-round clash with Jose Mourinho's Chelsea.

Heerenveen v Newcastle, tonight, 7.45pm (live on Five)

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