No earrings give Cordone midas touch

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson put the recent success of striker Daniel Cordone down to the removal of his earrings.

The former Racing Club hitman's superb display in Newcastle's 2-0 demolition of Tottenham was allegedly due to a mid-week operation to take the permanently soldered rings out of his ears.

Football Association chief Adam Crozier told the Tyneside club that that offending accessories must go after referee Stephen Lodge reported Cordone for having them on his debut at Manchester United.

"We did have a letter from the FA from Mr Crozier warning us about the ear-rings, so he's had them out," said Robson.

Too much gold

"They were soldered in, so he's had to have a pretty decent operation to remove them.

"But it's made him lighter. He was carrying too much gold around with him - he's put on half a yard of pace!

"We explained to the referee at Manchester United that he had permanent ear-rings in, and we said don't expect him to take them out because we'll have to cut his ears off.

It's made him lighter. He was carrying too much gold around with him - he's put on half a yard of pace!

  Bobby Robson

"We had a delicate job to do, so he's got his ear-rings out. I think he brought a brand new pair to put in afterwards."

Cordone, who scored on Saturday, already proved himself a fan-favourite at St James Park and a key figure in Robson's plans.

"We have to take him for what he is, which is a pure attacker," said the Toon Army boss.

"He's not going to defend very much for us and he's not going to jump up against Sol Campbell and get his nose punched in trying to head a ball, and we have to understand that.

"But get the ball to feet, and he's a bit mustard, and we've just got to get the ball to him in certain areas and take advantage of what he can do for us."