"We can confirm that, following negotiations with Celestine Babayaro, agreement has been reached that he will join us on January 1." Official Statement confirming that Newcastle have signed Celestine Babayaro (January 1 2005)

"We feel Boumsong will be a big influence at the club, both short-term and long-term. He is a young man who has a great desire to be the best. He is a communicator on the pitch and you can never have enough of them on the pitch." Graeme Souness on signing Jean-Alain Boumsong (January 1 2005)

"He wanted to go. We tried to scare Newcastle away and the price went up and up, but it was clear in the end that Jean-Alain wanted to go." Rangers manager Alex McLeish on selling Jean-Alain Boumsong to Newcastle (January 1 2005)

"Newcastle had made me one of their transfer window priorities and I was very flattered. When I met their people I got the impression they really wanted me and you can't ignore that. Now I hope I can repay their confidence." Jean Alain Boumsong on signing for Newcastle (January 1 2005)

"Basically, I'm a 4-4-2 man but I'm not big on systems and tactics. Systems are for schoolteachers. I'm big on great players working their socks off. If you have that, you don't have to say too much to them." Graeme Souness commenting after Newcastle's 2-1 win over Birmingham City at St. James' Park (January 2 2005)

"I had a smile on my face after the start we made to the game, but when we had them on the back foot we didn't come up with the killer punch. Had we scored early then we could have gone on to win by more than one goal." Graeme Souness after Newcastle's 0-0 draw away to West Bromwich Albion (January 4 2005)

"In 18 years as a player I never had a niggly muscle injury and yet I have had a couple in the last few months." Alan Shearer on his muscle injuries (January 5 2005)

"There are several ways of being a captain; you can growl at people or lead by example, and JJ does it by example." Graeme Souness on Jermaine Jena's ability to Captain the side in Alan Shearer's absence (January 5 2005)

"We've not had one enquiry. I'm sure there would be a lot of clubs who want Luis because he's a quality player but, unfortunately, they won't be getting him." Fulham manager Chris Coleman on speculation linking Luis Boa Morte with a move to Newcastle (January 6 2005)

"We have declared an interest in him (Boa Morte). The chairman is still working hard to bring at least one more body in before this window goes, but there is nothing I can tell you about that." Graeme Souness confirms Newcastle's interest in Fulham's Luis Boa Morte (January 7 2005)

"Newcastle is a great club and the Premiership is of interest to Sammy - just like the Primera Liga - but I am in constant contact with clubs all over Europe. Newcastle are interested in central defenders and they are probably checking out other options." Agent Fabio Parisi claims Newcastle are interested in his client Bayern Munich's Sammy Kuffour (January 8 2005)

"I can confirm that Newcastle have made a formal approach for Sylvain Distin with a bid in the region of £5million. "We have rejected the bid as Sylvain is not for sale. He has three-and-a-half years left on his current contract and is staying here." Official Manchester City statement confirming they have rejected a bid from Newcastle for their defender Sylvain Distin (January 8 2005)

"I would hate for my boys to get beaten 8-0. Barnet played Arsenal in a pre-season friendly and got beaten 10-1, which can easily happen. But apart from that fear I am going to enjoy it. No one expects us to win, so I can go there and let my hair down." Yeading manager Johnson Hippolyte ahead of his side's FA Cup 3rd Round tie with Newcastle at Loftus Road (January 8 2005)

"They pushed us all the way but we were guilty of missing some great chances. We scored two but we could have had another four or five. Until the second goal went in it was game on. It was a proper game of football, the sort I would have loved to have played in" Graeme Souness on Newcastle's 2-0 over Yeading in the FA Cup (January 9 2005)

"I think my boys have done well. They were proud of themselves in the dressing room afterwards and rightly so." Yeading Manager Johnson Hippolyte on his side's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the FA Cup (January 9 2005)

"There are things going on between my agent, Newcastle and Fulham but I cannot comment further." Fulham's Luis Boa Morte on transfer speculation linking him with a move to Fulham (January 10 2005)

"The surface at St James's is terrible. It breaks up and, with the way I play, it makes life very difficult. I'm a sprinter and I like to turn the opposition so it's the worst possible surface for me. It doesn't suit my game at all." Craig Bellamy complains about the state of the St. James' Park pitch (January 11 2005)

"Newcastle want to keep Andy. Villa and Newcastle have spoken and it's with the two chairmen now. The ball is with Newcastle rather than Villa. Villa are very interested in him - he's played around 150 games for Newcastle, he's a good, solid competitor and he's got Champions League and international experience." Andy O'Brien's agent Jon Smith confirming Aston Villa's interest in his client (January 11 2005)

"The way they are treating me, it seems they want me out. But I will see out my contract until the end of the season, whether they play me or not. Celestine coming in would seem to show me they do not want me any more. I'm not being greedy, I think I deserve the deal after what I've done for this club." Olivier Bernard on his contract situation (January 11 2005)

"I'm paid by Newcastle United to give my best for the club and as long as I'm contracted to them I will always give 100%. Of course some of the stories are worrying and, yes, it has been an unsettling time. But nobody at the club has said anything to me about my future and I intend to sit tight until I hear something concrete." Andy O'Brien doesn't want to leave Newcastle (January 12 2005)

"Still nothing has been decided by Newcastle, but we expect to hear a decision from them within the next couple of days. If that happens, then we can discuss things like personal terms perhaps early next week." Sammy Kuffour's agent Fabio Parisi on speculation linking his client with a move to Newcastle (January 12 2005)

"Of course I would like to play in Newcastle. It is a club of different dimension to Fulham and the interest fills me with pride." Quotes attributed to Luis Boa Morte about a move to Newcastle (January 13 2005)

"I've said before that I think Graeme Souness is the right man for the job. Given time, I hope he can make this club successful." Alan Shearer backs his manager Graeme Souness (January 14 2005)

"I am happy that we have reached an agreement to enable me to remain a Fulham player and I am looking forward to the remainder of the season." Luis Boa Morte end speculation linking him with a move to Newcastle buy signing a new contract at Fulham (January 14 2005)

"I thought I might have had a little chance of getting to Jackie's record, but I think, realistically speaking, 12 games out has probably put the block on that. I didn't say it publicly, but I had that sneaky feeling that I may have been able to do it. I don't think it'll be achievable now, though." Alan Shearer on Wor Jackie Milburn's record (January 14 2005)

"It is an important three points today as we face Arsenal next week, but we can take some confidence as our football was excellent." Graeme Souness on Newcastle's 2-1 win over Southampton at St. James' Park (January 15 2005)

"Yakubu is one of several players who do interest me. It's no secret that we have to replace the top man at the end of the season, and whoever comes in is going to have a monumental task to fill one of his boots, never mind both. Whether that's Yakubu, or whoever comes in, it's a difficult job." Graeme Souness confirms an interest in Portsmouth's Yakubu (January 17 2005)

"I am happy to be here and I want to stay but who knows what will happen in the future." Sylvain Distin on Newcastle's bid for him (January 17 2005)

"The contact with Newcastle was only about Morientes and never for Owen or any other player." Real Madrid's chief Arrigo Sacchi rubbishes reports that Newcastle tred to get Michael Owen on loan but revealed United did make enquiries for Fernando Morientes (January 17 2005)

"We are talking to Portsmouth about both players (Faye and Yakubu)." Graeme Souness admits Newcastle are in talks with Portsmouth to sign Amdy Faye and Yakubu (January 21 2005)

"Laurent is the sort of player that the fans love but if the manager doesn't want to play him, then there's nothing he can do about it." Former Newcastle winger David Ginola offers some advice to Laurent Robert (January 22 2005)

"There was an incident on Friday in which Craig expressed his displeasure at the position we have asked him to play. He walked out of training on Friday and claimed he was injured, but then said he was fit again on the Saturday." Graeme Souness sensationally claims Craig Bellamy feigned injury ahead of Newcastle's trip to Highbury to face Arsenal (January 24 2005)

"It disappoints me that my integrity is being called into question. I'm training as hard as I can. The fans know that because they see me playing out of position and trying to do my best for the club." Craig Bellamy denies feigning injury (January 24 2005)

"Craig declared himself injured on Friday dinner time and then was fit on Saturday morning. The manager - like everyone at Newcastle United - only wants players who want to play for the club, whether it's in the position they want to play in or not." Alan Shearer backs his manager over his bust up with Craig Bellamy (January 24 2005)

"After Friday's press conference at St James' Park I arrived at the training ground to find Craig Bellamy in the dressing room and with his boots off.

"He told me he felt his hamstring was a bit tight. But my first-team coach Dean Saunders informed me that Bellamy had told other players in the dressing room he was going to feign an injury.

"I took him to see the chairman on Friday afternoon at St James' Park and he admitted to both of us that this was true. I asked him in front of the chairman if he had feigned an injury and he said `yes'.

"I told Bellamy that he had to apologise to the rest of the players, but I then found out later that he had not done so. "That was on Friday tea-time and that's when I decided he wasn't going to be in my team at Arsenal.

"If he had apologised he would have been in the team. The Newcastle United management team were suspicious of what happened at Liverpool when Bellamy stood down after what he said was a back injury after warming up, yet he managed to train the following day.

"And last week he didn't turn up for training on Friday, saying that he had a stomach bug but he still played against Southampton the following day. Bellamy said in front of Babayaro and Boumsong that this was a rubbish club with a rubbish manager.

"I asked him what all this was about and he told me he was upset about the speculation he was going to be sold or used as a makeweight in an incoming transfer. But I told him that if this was the case he would have heard it first from me and why hadn't he come to see me?

"I told him on Friday that I wanted him here but on my terms. And these terms are that everyone is pulling together and not acting in a confrontational manner and sniping away all the time. There has to be a boss and at the moment that's me. We are talking about other things here.

"The only thing I am interested in is the cause and that cause is Newcastle United."Graeme Souness on the whole Craig Bellamy affair (January 24 2005)

"I've kept my nose clean when I've been asked to to play out of position and I've done it. I've rose above it and tried to do as best as I can for this club. It seems I am not particularly wanted by a certain person and the only way he can be seen to do it is to turn the fans against me.

"I've got belief that the Newcastle fans know how much I want to play for them. It's going to be tough now. I think coming on here hasn't helped me in that sense but I believe that I had to do this just for myself, to have a look at myself and say I've been honest, put both arms in the air and you can't demand any more from yourself.

"The situation has probably gone a bit too far. I've got two-and-a-half years left on my contract and, when I signed it, it was to be here for that length of time. I'd never ask to leave because this club means too much to me.

"I've not really thought about it to be honest. I just want to come across and say I never once refused to play out of position. Why would I decide that after 20-odd games, at Arsenal, against the best players, the one team you want to play against because they are the best. It frightens me that people will even think about it." Craig Bellamy speaks live To Sky Sports News about the whole affair (January 24 2005)

"I wish to put the record straight regarding the Bellamy situation. He walked off the training ground saying his hamstring was tight, but what he failed to reveal in his interview was that he had told other members of the squad before training that he intended to feign injury.

"When Graeme Souness discovered this, he immediately ordered Bellamy to attend a meeting with us in my office. At that meeting, Bellamy admitted to Graeme and I that he had told the players that he was going to 'fake' an injury in training and walk off.

"He also agreed at that meeting to apologise to his team mates for his behaviour. He didn't do this which resulted in the action taken by the manager at the weekend, which I fully support. In my book, this is cheating on the club, the supporters, the manager and the player's own team-mates.

"Craig Bellamy is paid extremely well by Newcastle United and I consider his behaviour to be totally unacceptable and totally unprofessional. The player will now face internal discipline by the club.

"When Bellamy turns up at the training ground today he will be met with a fine of two weeks wages which is the maximum we can give him.

"But this is not about money. It is about a player thinking that he is bigger than a football club. Well, let me tell you that no individual be it the chairman, the manager or a player is bigger than Newcastle United Football Club even if that player is a multi-millionaire.

"Craig Bellamy was a fool to go on television yesterday afternoon. We told him not to do it and as far as we are aware his agent advised him not to do it." Freddy Shepherd on the whole Craig Bellamy affair (January 25 2005)

"It's been six years since I was last working here and it's wonderful to be back at such a big club." Former Toon assistant manager Terry McDermott on returning to the club as a coach (January 27 2005)

"We have agreed a fee with Newcastle and we've got permission to speak to the player. We will be having talks with him over the weekend and we hope we can convince him to come to Birmingham City." Steve Bruce confirms that Newcastle have accepted a bid from Birmingham for Craig Bellamy (January 28 2005)

"He can't play for me ever again. He can't go on television and accuse me of telling lies." Graeme Souness on Craig Bellamy (January 28 2005)

"Andy's signed an extension until 2008, which I'm delighted about. He just wants to play for Newcastle. He loves the club. At this time we've signed another centre-half, but this shows his intention. He wants to fight for his place." Graeme Souness confirms that Andy O'Brien has signed a new contract at Newcastle (January 28 2005)

"Craig Bellamy has been a disruptive influence from the minute I walked into this football club with his attitude to the coaching staff, to me and to his team-mates." More from Graeme Souness on Craig Bellamy (January 29 2005)

"If Sir Bobby Robson had taken a harder line, I am convinced we would not be facing this situation." Freddy Shepherd blames Sir Bobby Robson for the Craig Bellamy affair (January 30 2005)

"When Graeme Souness leaves Newcastle I would walk back to the club - that's how much it means to me. I have been accused of being a disruptive influence and being difficult to work with. But you ask Mark Hughes, Sir Bobby Robson, Bruce Rioch or Gordon Strachan about me. I never had any problem with them. I have only ever had a real problem with this man (Souness). It started from day one when he came in and told me in front of all the rest of the lads he didn't like my style of play." More from Craig Bellamy on Graeme Souness (January 30 2005)

"It does look like Craig will never play for this club again. But we are his friends and we have read a lot of stuff saying that he has lost the confidence of the dressing room. That is not the case. We were just trying to be open-minded. Not once did we side with the manager or Craig because we had confidence in both and hoped the situation would be resolved." Kieron Dyer sticks up for his big pal Craig Bellamy (January 31 2005)