NEW BONUS DEAL ENDS TOON ROW

NEWCASTLE players have settled their bonus dispute with owner Mike Ashley.

They had been refusing to co-operate with the media in protest, but yesterday filmed walk-up shots for TV companies.

The peace deal ended a difficult few days for Rafa Benitez (below), and allows the Toon boss and his squad to focus on Saturday’s opener against Tottenham.

The players were unhappy with what Ashley (above) was offering and now have a potential multi-million pound package in place.

Last season they shared £4million, plus £1m for every place above 17th, with a £20m pot on offer for winning the FA Cup.

Skipper Jamaal Lascelles said: “We’ve managed to sort out the off-field stuff. With that out of the way there is no reason why we can’t go out and put in a good performance.

“We know where we stand.

“No one’s moaning, no one’s upset and now it’s just about gelling even more, working hard, getting a good energy around the club and the training ground – and doing what we do best which is working hard and playing as team. “We finished tenth last season and have made good signings.”

Magpies defender Florian Lejeune has had a “successful” operation to repair a cruciate ligament injured in training but will still be out for months recuperating. HE IS responsible for a dance craze back home... and now Richarlison is hoping the arrival of the “pigeon dance” in the Premier League will sweep him into the Brazil team.

The Samba star took the moves of a little known pop band in his native country and sent them viral when he used the dance as his signature goal-scoring celebration. So far, with just five goals in 41 Watford appearances, English audiences haven’t been treated to the phenomenon.

But the £50million record Everton signing believes that will change at Goodison – with the help of a manager he calls the best in the world.

Richarlison became famous for his Danca Do Pombo – taken from the title of a song by the band Os Perseguidores.

And he has promised Blues fans they will see it plenty of times as he looks for the goals that will win him Brazil caps.

“The pigeon dance came from a group from Rio de Janeiro, who had a song in around 2012. A trend was started when I did the dance at home. Everyone started copying me,” he explained.

“I think I’ve helped the band’s profile grow because of that. I am hoping to score goals and do the pigeon dance.

“I thank God I’m at Everton. I am aiming high. I want to achieve a lot here, make history here and make a name for myself.”

He was watched closely by Brazil manager Tite last season, but his poor form in the second half of the season – when new Everton boss Marco Silva was

Everton signed Richarlison after he strutted his stuff for Watford (left)