Newcastle hope to conclude a deal for Manchester United full-back Danny Simpson in the next 24 hours as manager Chris Hughton closes in on his first transfer window breakthrough.
Press Association Sport understands the 23-year-old, who played the final game of his loan spell in Monday night's 2-2 Coca-Cola Championship draw with West Brom, is due to undergo a medical on Tyneside on Wednesday.
However, neither the transfer deal nor his personal terms have yet been finalised and the relevant parties remain locked in talks.
Simpson has played a major role in Newcastle's rise to the top of the Championship table, where they stand three points clear of second-placed Nottingham Forest with a game in hand.
He has made 22 appearances and his retention has been one of Hughton's main priorities this month.
Should the Magpies be able to push through a move, that would come as a boost after seeing top targets Jermaine Beckford and Matthew Kilgallon opt to stay with Leeds and Sheffield United respectively.
Copyright (c) PA Sport 2009, All Rights Reserved.
