Enrique expected back at Toon

ewcastle full-back and Liverpool target Jose Enrique is expected to return for pre-season training with his team-mates on Monday. After months of speculation over the 25-year-old Spaniard's future, no bid has yet been received for a man who has 12 months of his existing contract left to run.Enrique is yet to respond to an offer manager Alan Pardew has described as "fantastic", and while the Magpies know they may have a fight on their hands to keep him, they are refusing to admit defeat.Assistant boss John Carver told the Evening Chronicle: "As far as we are aware, Jose will be back on Monday - I have been told nothing to the reverse - and Jose will be getting a warm welcome like he always does."I know he will give us 100%, like he always does, and he wouldn't dream of letting anybody down."As far as I know, everybody will be back, including Jose and Joey Barton, and it will be great to see them again."They are all still under contract and will be ready to start preparing for the new season with Newcastle United."Unlike Enrique, Barton has not been offered a new contract as he enters the final year of his existing deal, although he has signalled his intention to remain on Tyneside for the time being.No offer has been received for the former Manchester City midfielder either, although a bid of around £4million could persuade Newcastle to cash in on the 28-year-old now rather than lose him for free next summer.Pardew has already added Yohan Cabaye and Sylvain Marveaux to his midfield resources this summer, and he continues to pursue a series of other potential targets with Manchester United's Darron Gibson, who is also in the sights of rivals Sunderland, among them.However, his efforts to strengthen his defense has so far come to nothing.The Magpies suffered a setback on Monday when Premier League newcomers Swansea rejected their £1million offer for 22-year-old full-back Neil Taylor.They believed they were on the brink of pushing through a swoop for Taylor after activating a clause in his contract, but the Swans are adamant that only allowed them to talk to the player and they have no compulsion to sell him.Newcastle are working to a strict financial structure and will not become involved in a bidding war, and that means they may have to move on unless Taylor ups the stakes by handing in a transfer request, or they are prepared to enter into a legal battle in an effort to secure his services.

Source: Team_Talk