Marcelino

Full name is: Elena Sierra Marcelino.

The Spanish centre-back's hopes of becoming the cornerstone of Ruud Gullit's defence at Newcastle were wrecked by injury.

First a hip problem then a groin strain meant Marcelino endured long spells on the sidelines.

As in his first season at St James Park, injuries wrecked any chance of Marcelino settling into the Newcastle side on a regular basis in 2000-01.

He snapped a tendon in his finger in the opening game of the season at Old Trafford, and on his return he reported a groin strain and was absent again until mid-December when he made three consecutive appearances.

However after the turn of the year he only played in another three games, one of them as a substitute, to conclude a very disappointing term.

A tall and strong central defender.

His contract was bought out by Freddie Shepherd.