Newcastle United executive director Dennis Wise was behind the offer of trials to Senegal captain Lamine Diatti, it has been revealed.

The Guardian says while Toon boss Kevin Keegan denied this, it is understood that the idea of signing Diatti, who, as a free agent, is available outside the transfer window, came from Wise's scouting team.

However, Newcastle's manager and his staff suspect the player is unsuited to the demands of the Premier League.