Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is not ruling out move for vastly-experienced former England defender Sol Campbell.

The 35-year-old was heavily linked with the Magpies during the summer but ultimately signed a five-year deal with League Two Notts County in one of the most surprising deals of recent times.

However, the 73-times-capped player’s spell at Meadow Lane lasted just one game - at 2-1 defeat by Morecambe — and he is currently fighting a legal battle with the club over his registration after his contract was terminated “by mutual consent”.

He hopes that situation will be resolved at a hearing on December 10th, and has indicated his interest in resuming his career at St James’ Park.

Hughton has been told he will have a small budget to play with in January, but the chance to recruit a player of Campbell’s stature is one he admits he cannot afford to ignore.

He said: “It’s one that I wouldn’t rule out. He’s a player who will go somewhere at some stage, and he will get a lot of offers. But we won’t rule him out of coming here.

“I don’t expect him to go anywhere at the moment, but he will be playing somewhere. I don’t expect that to be until after Christmas.”