Exeter's Coppinger swoop

Newcastle striker James Coppinger is set to join Exeter City later this week after having his contract cancelled by mutual consent.

The 21-year-old Coppinger arrived at Newcastle from Darlington as a 17-year-old with fellow frontman Paul Robinson in a joint £500,000 deal in March 1998 when Kenny Dalglish was manager.

He made his debut as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on August 26, 2000.

But that was his only appearance and he spent two successful loan spells at Hartlepool United, helping Chris Turner's side reach the Division Three play-offs last season for the third time in a row.