France Defender Rues Newcastle Rejection

Lille full-back Mathieu Debuchy says he was left disappointed by the inability to clinch a move to Newcastle United in the summer.

The 27 year old appeared on the verge of move to the Premier League after the European Championship, but a deal fell through.

Dubuchy has since started nine of Lille's 12 Ligue 1 fixtures, including the weekend win at Brest, but admits he was left saddened by missing out a switch to Newcastle.

"I could not go to Newcastle because the president of Lille did not want me to go," Debuchy told L'Equipe.

"At times it was a decision that was difficult to deal with over the summer and, yes, I was disappointed.

"I hope there will be other opportunities, but for now that is all in the past. I will give 200% for Lille and I have never said I am unhappy here. I am not sure what my future will be after this season though."

Newcastle were among a host of clubs interested in Dubuchy's services, with the likes of Inter Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid all understood to be interested in his services.

The Toon do have Danny Simpson, James Perch and Vernon Anita all available to fill in at right-full back, so without Debuchy the club are far from short on the ground.

However, it's the strength in depth of Newcastle's defensive cover that is alarming, and it's not beyond doubt that Alan Pardew will seek to resolve such an issue in the January transfer window.

Alan Pardew made nine changes from the Europa League tie against Club Brugge for the Premier League game against West Ham United, where Kevin Nolan's only goal settled the contest.

And following a lacklustre display, Pardew refused to blame the club's mid-week exploits for the defeat to The Hammers.

"It was nothing to do with Europe," he said. "We made so many changes it's not an excuse.

"We just didn't start the game well. We were lacking the verve and imagination to unlock them.

"We must have had eight or nine shots on target. The team was fresh so there's no excuse."