Newcastle bid £5m for Rennes' Stephane Mbia and track Lucas Neill

Kinnear is now awaiting news of the club's firm offer for 22-year-old Cameroon international Mbia, and developments with Australian Neill as Newcastle attempt to cover for the loss of Habib Beye to an ankle injury. He said: "We have put a bid in writing for Stephane Mbia and we are waiting to hear from his club. "We have put a bid in of £5 million and we are waiting to see what the outcome of that is." Asked about Neill, he added: "We have spoken to his agent and it is ongoing at the moment, we are just waiting to see. We could get an answer at any time." Kinnear has previously claimed the club had made two £4 million offers for unnamed players. With his interest in Toulouse defender Albin Ebondo having apparently cooled, it is understood St Etienne striker Bafetimbi Gomis could now be in his sights. Kinnear, meanwhile, could face further disciplinary action from the FA after a touchline bust-up with Hull's Phil Brown. The incident was sparked by a lunging tackle by Fabricio Coloccini on Hull striker Daniel Cousin that brought a booking by referee Phil Dowd. That decision was applauded by Brown who then issued an expletive-laden rant at Newcastle assistant Chris Hughton. Kinnear then charged out of his technical area towards Brown and the duo went head-to-head in front of the fourth official before Dowd intervened. Both managers were sent to the stands."I don't know why I was sent off," said Kinnear who insisted there had been no physical contact. "We just exchanged words. Nothing else. I'm bemused. It was a harsh decision. He came across and had plenty to say and I answered him. "He was having a rant at Chris. He wasn't saying too many things to him. I said 'Enough. Cool it.' I told Chris to sit down and then the ref came over. I don't know whether my reputation precedes me but if you look at the tape you will see all I did was stand my ground. I was sticking up for Chris." For his part, Brown added: "Unfortunately, me and Joe came together and we just got stuck in the stands by Phil Dowd. We will just have to see what happens. I was contesting the fact that every time the ball came to Danny Cousin their centre-half came through the back of him."

Source: Telegraph