Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper admits he tried to convince Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate to return to St James' Park when he was considering his future at Middlesbrough in January.

Harper told the Evening Chronicle: "I spoke to Woody quite a lot when all of the speculation was going on.

"I tried to convince him to come back here. But he doesn't speak to me any more now!

"He scored the winner in a cup final and he's got a medal so he doesn't ring anymore!

"He's gone all big time on me so I'll be telling him that tomorrow!"