"Allardyce axes five from Newcastle" - not edgar

[Juby]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=430678&cc=5901

came across this article, it seems Allardyce is really changing up the team which could open up a few doors for edgar.

Allardyce axes five from Newcastle squad

Sam Allardyce today began the process of clearing the decks for his summer spending spree as Newcastle released five players.

The most notable departure was that of 25-year-old defender Titus Bramble, whose error-strewn career at St James' Park drew to a close when he was told his contract would not be renewed.

Bramble, a £5million signing from Ipswich during the summer of 2002, was recruited by Sir Bobby Robson as the commanding defender the Magpies have lacked for a decade or more.

Five years on, that potential has not been fulfilled despite the player's obvious physical attributes.

Powerfully-built and athletic, Bramble has demonstrated he has the ability to keep even the best of strikers at bay when he is at his best.

But his concentration is at times fatally flawed and the mistakes which have hampered his progress have finally come home to roost.

The former England Under-21 international's departure came as little surprise - indeed, had Glenn Roeder, rather than Allardyce still been at the helm, the outcome would almost certainly have been the same.

Nor too did those of Craig Moore, Pavel Srnicek, Olivier Bernard and Oguchi Onyewu.

Australia international Moore, 31, has been plagued by injury during his two seasons on Tyneside and although he managed 21 starts this season, his fitness was an enduring concern.

Frenchman Bernard, 27, did not manage a single senior appearance during his second spell at the club, while veteran keeper Srnicek saw his dream of turning out for the club once again come true on two occasions after returning as short-term cover for Shay Given and Steve Harper.

Onyewu, who came close to joining Middlesbrough last summer, was brought in on loan by Roeder in January from Belgian club Standard Liege.

However, the 24-year-old's hopes of winning a permanent move to the Barclays Premiership were never likely to be answered after a series of unconvincing displays.

Whether the five are the last to leave St James' this summer is unlikely as Allardyce seeks talks with Michael Owen and dissenting duo Obafemi Martins and Charles N'Zogbia.

In addition, there has been speculation, some of it wild, that Kieron Dyer, Emre, Scott Parker, James Milner and Nicky Butt could be among those to be moved on.

Allardyce will not want that much upheaval and will be keen to assure those members of the squad he sees as key players that he wants them to play a vital part.

However, he has already indicated he will not stand for rebellion within the dressing room, and those who do not toe the line could find themselves heading through the exit in short order.

[An Observer]

Good news for Edgar. Three of those dpearting (Bramble, Moore, and Onyewu) are central defenders (not sure about Bernard). With Edgar's recent contract extension, that must be some vote of confidence in him, Huntington and of course Taylor. There is also Ramage I guess as well. All of them are pretty inexperienced.

This being said, I am sure they will bring in one or two central defenders in the summer.