Newcastle face wait over N'Zogbia

N'Zogbia showed glimpses of his talent last season

Newcastle are expected to find out next month if they can keep hold of exciting French winger Charles N'Zogbia.

Magpies officials attended a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland on Monday where Le Havre pleaded to have the 19-year-old back.

The French club are challenging Fifa's decision to allow N'Zogbia to move in return for compensation last September.

Le Havre argued that under French Federation rules, he had to stay with them as an apprentice for two years.

But Fifa's players' status department gave Newcastle the green light to push the deal through.

A host of top European clubs were also chasing the pacy left-winger, who impressed former Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson during a trial spell.

The Court could take as long as a month to reach a decision, but N'Zogbia will be able to return for pre-season training next Monday.

He will be available for Newcastle's Intertoto Cup third-round first-leg game on the weekend of 16/17 July as he looks to build on an encouraging first season in English football.

N'Zogbia made 19 appearances, including 10 starts, and was given a run in the team towards the end of the Premiership campaign when new boss Graeme Souness fell out with another Frenchman, Laurent Robert.