REPORTAGE - 4th Sept 2012

Demba Ba's slow start to Newcastle season takes another hit with driving ban - Demba Ba’s difficult start to the season at Newcastle United has been accentuated by a driving ban and criticism from a magistrate about his attitude - Luke Edwards, The Telegraph

Ba was caught speeding twice last year, but refused to provide police with details of who was driving the car and then failed to appear in court without giving a reason on three separate occasions.

The Senegal international has been banned from driving for six months, fined £1000 and told to pay £85 in costs, although he has still not bothered to answer the charge in court.

The striker's form has been patchy for Newcastle so far this season and he is just one of the players manager Alan Pardew has challenged to improve when the Premier League programme resumes after the international break.

Police wrote to Ba, 27, in November last year and asked to provide details of who was driving his car when it was caught speeding twice.

Police would not release details of the vehicle involved, locations or speed but did confirm there had been two “speeding offences”.

The former West Ham forward had from Nov 15 to Dec 13 to provide the details.

But Ba, who lives in Darras Road in Ponteland, Newcastle, failed to respond to their request.

'The suspension will take place with immediate effect.'

He was subsequently charged with failing to supply driver information and told to appear at South East Northumberland magistrates on May 17 to answer the charge, but failed to show.

He was given six penalty points on his licence, fined £1,000, told to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge, taking him to 12 points on his licence.

The case was reopened for re-sentencing, but once again Ba failed to appear in court in Bedlington, Northumberland on August 1.

Ba, who is thought to earn around £50,000-a-week at Newcastle, was then written to by the court telling him to attend as magistrates were considering the ban. But he again failed to show, without explanation.

Chairman of the bench Peter Edwards said: “We are satisfied that Mr Ba has failed to attend court yet again.” Magistrates also told the court they “knew nothing” of the player’s means.

Newcastle United declined to comment on the case.

REPORTAGE - 4th Sept 2012

The Guv'nor of the Gallowgate? Newcastle will go back in for Seasiders star Ince in January – John Cross, The Mirror

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is set to go back for Blackpool starlet Tom Ince in January.

Pardew had a £4m bid knocked back for the 20-year-old winger during the transfer window.

Ince, son of ex-England hero Paul, has already scored four times this season and is catching the eye in the Championship.

It has been an impressive rise for Ince who began his youth career at Liverpool before going to Blackpool on a deal settled by tribunal.

But Ince appears to be destined for the Premier League either with Championship promotion hopefuls Blackpool next season or even sooner if Newcastle succeed in January.