Hugo wants to go home

Last updated : 08 December 2003 By Martyn Elliott

His former club Sporting Lisbon are now said to be the favourites to sign Viana, as he seeks to get his promising career back on track.

"I have already spoken with the directors at Newcastle, and there is an agreement that my situation cannot continue as it is," said the midfielder.

"I want to play regularly, and if an opportunity exists to go to one of the clubs that I am linked to then my preference would definitely be to return to Portugal.

"I can guarantee that if I were to go out on loan in January, my future would be to go to Portugal.

"The club that I might go to, for the time being, does not concern me.

"I want to go to a club where I will be able to play regularly, what is important to me is to maintain my chances of going to Euro 2004.

"Obviously I have an opinion on where I want to go, but it is not just down to me to decide.

"But I do not conceal the fact that I have an idea about what I want for my career."

The youngster’s recent fortunes are probably best summed up by the fact that Sky Sports have stopped describing him as a ‘wonder kid’ and now bill him as ‘Newcastle misfit Hugo Viana’.