Source: Northern_Echo
United hoping to secure Ireland deal
NEWCASTLE are hoping they can strike a deal with Aston Villa and Stephen Ireland to bring the midfielder to St James' Park during the January transfer window.[LNB] Alan Pardew is keen to strengthen his squad for the second half of the season but has struggled to nail down several targets since the window opened three weeks ago.[LNB] Pardew has now turned his attention to the Republic of Ireland international, who has fallen out of favour at Villa Park since Gerard Houllier took over from Martin O'Neill.[LNB] The only problem with a potential move is that the Midlands club want Newcastle to pay all of Ireland's £72,000 a week wages, an amount that won't fit in owner Mike Ashley's strict wage cap.[LNB] But the former Manchester City man may have to accept a pay cut if he wants to be playing first-team football this season.[LNB] It still remains to be seen whether a deal would be loan or permanent, but after spending £24m on Darren Bent last week, Villa will be keen to either chalk off Ireland's wages or earn some money from selling.[LNB] After watching his side draw at home to Tottenham, Pardew revealed he was close to bringing in a key player and hopes the deal can be finalised before Newcastle travel to Fulham on Tuesday week.[LNB] I had a good meeting with Mike and we talked about a lot of things, he said.[LNB] I keep stressing to him the importance of the group that we've got and we're very close to securing another key player and that has been my focus.[LNB] But over the next ten days, before Fulham, my focus will be on bringing in a player who can help us.[LNB] For the second week running, Pardew watched his side drop two points after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser.[LNB] Fabricio Coloccini had put the hosts ahead with a stunning strike, but it was the Argentinian's overall performance which earned praise from his manager.[LNB] I would not put it past his ability to play in midfield,[LNB] Pardew said.[LNB] It did worry me slightly when he went on that 80-yard run to try to get the second, but apart from that he was brilliant.[LNB] He is a smiley guy who comes in and does his work.[LNB] He is one of the latest to leave the training ground every day and he has not really got an offensive word to say to anyone.[LNB] He gives everyone support and from what I have seen he was very unlucky to miss out on playing in the World Cup.[LNB] He was outstanding today against a team like Tottenham, who pay all that money.[LNB] I thought he was the best player on the field.[LNB] I can only go on what I see but I have had some good centre- halves in my time and he is right up there with the top group, no problem.[LNB] He is different. He has a controlled way about him and he is probably the calmest centre-half I have had. I like calm centre-halves so I am pleased about that.'' After the draw with Spurs, the Newcastle squad flew out to Portugal, where they will spend four days training before returning on Thursday.[LNB] And with an empty slot next weekend before the trip to Craven Cottage, the Magpies boss is hopeful he will have a new signing and possibly several players back from injury, including striker Andy Carroll.[LNB] We need one or two to come in, or one or two to come back, and we think Andy Carroll looks close, said Pardew.[LNB] He looks better this week so he has a good chance and could feature at Fulham, which would be a massive bonus.[LNB] We are going out to Portugal.[LNB] We had to train indoors again on Friday, even though it was a sunny day, because we haven't got a heated training ground and it was frozen, though Mike is going to address this problem."[LNB]
