Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton has intimated that Sol Campbell's future does not lie at St James' Park, while French winger Laurent Robert could be set for a sensational Toon return.

Campbell, 35, has now successfully negotiated his exit from Notts County, and explained that he was inclined to believe that paperwork issues would be resolved in time for him to join a new club in about three weeks' time.

Magpies chief Hughton had claimed on Thursday evening that Campbell's proposed move to the Championship leaders was 'still an option', but hours later both he and the player himself appeared to rule out the possibility.

According to the Daily Mirror, Campbell asserted that while he had a few clubs tabling offers: "one of them doesn’t seem to be Newcastle now."

While Hughton also distanced himself from the rumours, explaining: "I’m sure he’ll have options and we’ve got to make sure we focus on the options we have."

Meanwhile, fellow veteran and Premier league old boy Laurent Robert, who cost the Magpies £9.5 million in 2001, but had a largely frustrating time at St James' Park, could be set for a shock return to club.

He was offloaded to Portsmouth in 2005 having publicly fallen out with then Toon boss Graeme Souness, before drifting into obscurity with brief spells at Derby County, Toronto FC and Larissa.

Close friend and Toon new-boy Fabrice Pancrate has revealed that Robert would like to return to the North East, but it remains to be seen whether Hughton would welcome the stroppy French star's return.

"I speak to Laurent a lot and he told me he'd love to come back," Pancrate told The Sun.

"He still loves the club and I've spoken to the boss to tell him Laurent would like to come back and I gave him his number."

ExtraFootie is sure the Frenchman's phone will be ringing off the hook...