Keegan's clearout begins

[kennethlindheim]

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has released former Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Carr, young defender Peter Ramage and Australia youth player James Troisi.

The three players have been told their contracts will not be renewed, and the decision to let Ashington-born Ramage go was clearly a difficult one for the Newcastle boss.

Ramage, 24, has played 68 games for Newcastle since his debut three years ago, but this season's appearances were cut short by a knee injury.

The product of the club's Academy has told Keegan he needs first-team football, but he knows he will have to leave St James' Park to get it.

Keegan said: "We wanted to keep Rammy but he wants to play regular football and I couldn't guarantee that here.

"He goes with our best wishes, as does Stephen Carr, who has been a great pro for this club. He wasn't offered a contract and I explained the reasons why.

"James Troisi has also gone. He has gone to play for Australia in the Olympics but he has not been offered a contract."

Full-back Carr, who announced his international retirement last year, signed from Tottenham in 2004 and he made 107 appearances for the Magpies, scoring just once.

But the surly defender has also been troubled by numerous injuries in his four-year stint, missing most of Keegan's games in charge with a knee injury which has forced him to miss the run-in since early February.

Midfielder Troisi, 19, did not make his full debut for Newcastle although he does have one Australia cap to his name.

Carr, Ramage and Troisi leaving Toon as Newcastle boss Keegan wields the axe | the Daily Mail

Good start to get rid of the deadwood, especially Carr. I expect to see N'Zogbia, Duff, Capaca, Rozehnal, Diatta and hopefully Smith to go as well.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I will miss especially Ramage.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

A serious injury at Middlesbrough at the start of the season hampered Ramage's Magpies career

[kennethlindheim]

Ramage need to move down a league. Or two.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

He's not that bad. He can do well in Championship.

[Olzy]

Ramage - can he play right back?

As for Carr he's shit. I think he was always picked because in the past he was pretty decent. He looks a bit overweight.

Rumours today are that Keegan might walk out

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Ramage can play in any position in the defense. That's makes him so special.

[Lemmy]

Newcastle are to release Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage and James Troisi at the end of the season.

The contracts of the trio run out this summer and Magpies manager Kevin Keegan has confirmed that they will not be offered new deals.

"We wanted to keep Rammy but he wants to play regular football and I couldn't guarantee that here," Keegan told the club website.

"He goes with our best wishes, as does Stephen Carr, who's been a great pro."

Right-back Carr, who moved to Tyneside from Tottenham in August 2004, has endured an injury-hit campaign in which the 31-year-old has made only 10 starts and two appearances as a substitute.

"He wasn't offered a contract and I explained the reasons why," added Keegan.

Defender Ramage, 24, and midfielder Troisi, 19, are both products of the club's youth academy.

Troisi has failed to make an appearance for the Newcastle first team and has been let go as Keegan looks to improve his squad.

"James Troisi has gone to play for Australia in the Olympics but he has not been offered a contract," said Keegan.

Keegan is expected to have funds at his disposal during the summer and has already stated he is planning a number of signings as he attempts to get the club challenging for a European berth next season.

"If I can get three or four players in to add to what I have got here - and we have that bit of luck you need with no injuries to key players - then we might be able to win the second division of the Premier League," he said after the 2-0 loss to Chelsea on Monday.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Newcastle United | Keegan to release Newcastle trio

[hanuma]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

A serious injury at Middlesbrough at the start of the season hampered Ramage's Magpies career

As did a lack of ability and pace.

Fair play to Keegan, I thought he'd be a disaster, but he seems to have a lot of good ideas and the right level of respect in/for/from the players.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan hopes he can find more players in the mould of Peter Ramage - after the big Geordie signed with QPR yesterday.

He told the Evening Chronicle: "This is a great club, and wherever Peter Ramage goes, it won't be to a club as big as this.

"He knows that, but it will be to a club where he plays every week. He's got to go and play regular football. He's not 16, 17 or 18 any more, he's 24.

"But I would like to take his heart, and put it in the dressing room at Newcastle. The one thing he has is a massive heart."