The 32-year-old received a standing ovation as he was presented on the St James' Park pitch before last night's friendly clash with Barcelona, the team against which he scored a memorable Champions League hat-trick five years ago.

And Asprilla, who was a guest of chairman Freddy Shepherd at the game, admitted he would like nothing better than to wear the black and white stripes once again.

'I do not have a club at the moment, and I would love to return to England and the Premiership,'' he told the club's official website, www.nufc.co.uk. 'I would jump at the chance to come back, and if it was to Newcastle, then I would be overjoyed.

'This club will always be special and close to my heart, and I was disappointed when I had to leave St. James' Park in the first place.

'I have been back in Newcastle for four days, and it's great to be back. I cannot believe the reception I got from the fans, it was absolutely unbelievable.

'I will never forget the night I scored three goals here against Barcelona. It was a fantastic experience, but last night was also special for me too. I'm extremely grateful to Newcastle United for inviting me back to the club.''

Asprilla, a £7.5million signing from Italian Serie A side Parma, played 63 games for the club in a little less than two years on Tyneside, scoring nine of his 18 goals in 11 European matches before returning to Parma in a £6.5million deal in January 1998.

Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Louis van Gaal has no doubts that Sir Bobby Robson can guide Newcastle into the Champions League.

'He's well experienced, and so he can manage that well in the Champions League, very easily I think.

'The crowd here is great because they are always supporting the squad, and even though this result was a little bit disappointing for the fans, they were always behind the team, even at the end of the game.