Toon delay Bramble signing

By Matthew Jones
July 2 2002

Newcastle have put their signing of Titus Bramble on hold to allow him to fully recover from a heel injury for which he recently had surgery.

Newcastle have put their signing of Titus Bramble on hold to allow him to fully recover from a heel injury for which he recently had surgery.

Ipswich defender Bramble, an England Under-21 international, is close to completing a £6million move to St James' Park, after impressing manager Sir Bobby Robson.

The 20-year-old was expected to rubber-stamp the deal on Tyneside yesterday but will now complete formalities once Newcastle medics are confident that the injury has fully recovered.

Newcastle officials do not envisage any future problems and are confident the deal will go through eventually.

"Titus Bramble is back at Newcastle this morning (Monday) for final discussions on his proposed move to St James' Park," a club statement read.

"Town have agreed an undisclosed fee with The Magpies for the England Under-21 international, who spent last Thursday on Tyneside talking through the move with former Blues boss Sir Bobby Robson, now in charge at Newcastle.

"Negotiations are expected to be concluded today."