Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan has explained why he released Emre before the final game of the season at Everton.

"I just felt for Emre to play one game for us at that intensity in the Premier League and risk getting injured before Euro 2008 would not be the right thing," said KK.

"He would probably have been on the bench at Goodison Park anyway. Turkey have got a training camp and it was my decision, not his, to let him go off and join them.

"Had he gone to Everton and pulled a hamstring or whatever and been robbed of playing for his country in Euro 2008, I think that would have been wrong, bearing in mind he had not been in the side."