Carl Cort was signed from Wimbledon in July 2000 for £7m by Bobby Robson. Cort has played for the England U21s and was thought to be a possible for the England full squad. He has been very unlucky with injuries since he went to Newcastle, but still has a good goal record at the Magpies.

Cort actually scored in the 1st minute of his Wimbledon full debut against Newcastle at St James' Park in September 1997, but it took time to become a regular in the Dons side. However, his excellent form in 1999-00, when he was a virtual ever-present, sent his rating soaring and a number of clubs were interested in purchasing him before Newcastle finally did.

His first season at St. James' Park got off to a flyer when he scored after only 4 minutes in his home debut against Derby County but later left the field with hamstring injury. A brief game against Leyton Orient in September 2000 proved unsuccessful and it wasn't until Middlesbrough arrived on Tyneside in March 2001 that Carl was able to put his injury troubles behind him.

Five goals in the last 10 games of the season happily meant Carl was back on song but injuries picked up in pre-season delayed his return to the first team. When he finally got back, he scored against Everton in April 2002 to prove he still has the knack for goals.

However, he has fallen right down the pecking order at United behind Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy, Shola Ameobi, Lomana LuaLua and Michael Chopra, and various clubs have been linked with a move for the striker, and that looks as though it's the only way Carl's going to play first-team football next season.