Best nears Newcastle exit

Striker Leon Best's stay at Newcastle could be drawing to a close with Blackburn having stepped up their interest.

Press Association Sport understands the 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international was due to undergo a medical with the Lancashire club on Monday.

Best, who joined the Magpies in a £1.2million switch from Coventry in February 2010, found his chances last season limited by injury and the form of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse.