Allardyce To Coax Emre To Stay?

The former Inter Milan schemer played for the whole 90 minutes in Turkey's 2-2 Euro 2008 qualifying draw with Malta at the weekend and is expected to do the same when the Turks travel to Hungary on Wednesday night.

Allardyce will want to assess the fitness of the 27-year-old when he returns to the North-East on Thursday morning but, barring any setbacks, Emre will look to make his first league appearance of the season against Derby County next Monday.

Despite United's decent start to the season, the midfield has perhaps lacked a a bit imagination. Decent holding up play and keeping it's shape, but hardly the best supporting the front two with the ball. And Emre could be the answer.

Emre is certainly one of the most creative midfielders on the books, and Allardyce is hoping he can keep the player at Newcastle.

The former Bolton boss also has other decisions to make. He must also decide whether to partner Claudio Caçapa with David Rozehnal in the centre of defence, or bring Steven Taylor back into the middle with Habib Beye making his debut at right-back.