Newcastle are monitoring Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips as manager Glenn Roeder prepares his rebuilding plans.
The 24-year-old England international is one of several players identified by the 50-year-old as prospective summer signings, although the Magpies are a long way from making any move.
Roeder is due to sit down this week with chairman Freddy Shepherd to draw up a recruitment shortlist, but is aware he will have to sell before he can make any purchases.
Wright-Phillips has been a peripheral figure since his £21 million move to Stamford Bridge last summer, and was the subject of an enquiry from the Magpies' before leaving Eastlands.
But despite claiming the title in his maiden term with Jose Mourinho's team, he has largely been used as a substitute and only started 15 of the club's 53 games last season.
Roeder has already acknowledged his interest in Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt and is likely to face competition from Liverpool should he attempt to buy the Dutchman.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)