He left the Magpies after four and a half years in January 2005 following a dispute over a new contract, moving to Southampton for a short spell.

However he was snapped up by Glenn Roeder just as Leeds closed in on his signing, and Bernard was glad to be given a second chance at Newcastle.

Bernard, 26, told Newcastle World TV: “When you spend so many years with a club like Newcastle, I just wish I’d never left. That was probably the biggest mistake I’ve made since I’ve been in football.

“It’s Newcastle, it’s a big club and maybe you only realise that when you leave it. As soon as I passed through the door I realised the mistake I had made. I want to play for this club and show everyone I’m back for good.”