POLICE QUESTION NEWCASTLE'S AMAR DEDIC OVER BOW AND ARROW

Newcastle United defender Amar Dedic sparked a significant police operation after being spotted carrying a bow and arrow in the Northumberland countryside. Dedic, a Bosnia international who joined the club from Benfica for £30 million this summer, was walking with a friend near a reservoir on Military Road in the Harlow Hill area on Wednesday when a member of the public alerted police. Officers stopped a vehicle around seven miles away in the Darras Hall estate and seized a bow and arrows. Northumbria Police said: "At this stage, it is understood they were for recreational use and there was no threat to the public. Enquiries are ongoing." Newcastle goalkeeper Mark Gillespie and former defender Paul Dummett arrived at the scene by chance while officers spoke to Dedic.

At least six patrol cars, marked and unmarked, were sent to the area, with armed officers among those involved in the search. Hunting animals with a bow and arrow or crossbow is illegal in the UK, though police said the weapon was understood to be for recreational use rather than hunting. Dedic has made ten appearances for Newcastle this season, recording four assists since his move from Benfica. Northumbria Police said their enquiries remain ongoing, without confirming whether further action would follow the seizure.

Newcastle are not expected to take disciplinary action against Dedic over the matter. The defender is expected to be available for the club's Premier League match against Fulham on Saturday. Northumbria Police have not said whether the friend who was with Dedic faced any separate questioning. The club had not issued its own public statement on the matter at the time of the police update.