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. 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. 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. 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. But the former Manchester City man may have to accept a pay cut if he wants to be playing first-team football this season. 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. 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. I had a good meeting with Mike and we talked about a lot of things, he said. 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. But over the next ten days, before Fulham, my focus will be on bringing in a player who can help us. For the second week running, Pardew watched his side drop two points after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser. 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. I would not put it past his ability to play in midfield, Pardew said. 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. He is a smiley guy who comes in and does his work. 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. He gives everyone support and from what I have seen he was very unlucky to miss out on playing in the World Cup. He was outstanding today against a team like Tottenham, who pay all that money. I thought he was the best player on the field. 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. 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. 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. We need one or two to come in, or one or two to come back, and we think Andy Carroll looks close, said Pardew. He looks better this week so he has a good chance and could feature at Fulham, which would be a massive bonus. We are going out to Portugal. 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."