It's the all to regular theme at St James' Park ... as most other Premiership clubs ... we produce the youngsters of the future, only to see them move on because they want first team football.

The obvious 'loss' is Michael Chopra, who moved to Cardiff City last season and set the Championship alight.

But Alan O'Brien moved to Hibs this week, as he too said he had no chance of breaking into the team with millions of pounds been spent of foreign talent.

The latest to want a move away from Tyneside is Matty Pattison, who has handed in a written transfer request at Newcastle.