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Distin happy with Toon snub

Image: Distin: Happy with decision

Sylvain Distin believes Portsmouth's impressive season justifies his decision to turn down a return to Newcastle.

Defender chose Portsmouth over Newcastle

Sylvain Distin believes Portsmouth's impressive season fully justifies his decision to turn down a return to Newcastle United. Distin, who joined Pompey on a free transfer last summer after his contract at Manchester City expired, has enjoyed a terrific season at Fratton Park, with Harry Redknapp's men currently sixth in the league and in the final of the FA Cup. And after recently revealing that he turned down a big-money move to Olympiakos, the 30-year-old defender has explained that Newcastle made a last-ditch attempt to secure his services. Distin, who played for The Magpies on loan during the 2001/02 season, told The News: "Newcastle came for me in the summer. It was a bit last minute.

Easy

"[Former Magpies boss] Sam Allardyce went to Newcastle and I agreed to sign for Portsmouth. He then came to me the day before I was supposed to sign. "But apart from being a footballer I am a man, so I found it difficult to say no to Portsmouth and go to Newcastle. "Once I made my mind up I was confident I was going to Portsmouth no matter who came in for me. "It's easy to say now I made the right choice, but I have always said I made the right choice."
Primus
Meanwhile, long-term knee-injury victim Linvoy Primus has set his sights on next season after a miserable campaign on the sidelines. "My goal is to make sure come 1st July we are back in training and I am joining in with the lads and up to speed. "Everything I have done so far has been really, really good. I have had no reaction at all so pre-season is still the goal for me. "I have just started running and that has gone really well. Obviously, getting closer to pre-season I will be doing more and more work outside. "Targets are still the same and it's nice to be able to come out and know I'm able to run without worrying about how the knee's going to feel. There is progress and that's so nice."

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