 CHRIS HUGHTON has admitted he is keen on bringing long-term Newcastle target Jermaine Beckford to St James’ Park next month. And the Chronicle understands that out-of-favour Cardiff City star Michael Chopra is also being considered for a shock return to Gallowgate. Marlon Harewood has been pushed to the back of the Toon manager’s pecking order due to Aston Villa’s insistence on a £250,000 loan fee to go with his £28,000 per week wages. A move to Newcastle for Beckford would be no major surprise as the player has been on United’s shortlist since his former Leeds boss Dennis Wise was controversially installed as transfer chief back in January 2008. And although ex-boss Kevin Keegan rarely agreed with the little Londoner’s taste for players, he was keen to sign the prolific Elland Road star. The Chronicle first reported United’s interest in Beckford during the ill-fated KK era in May 2008. However, he has stayed on the Magpies’ radar, and both Joe Kinnear and Alan Shearer were interested in bringing the 26-year-old to Tyneside during their stints in charge. Hughton told the Chronicle today: “Jermaine Beckford is one of a few players that will, of course, be of interest to us. “In the work that we’ve done over the last few weeks and months, there have been numerous names that have been thrown at us. “We have to look at all the options we have, but, certainly, Jermaine’s a player that will come into those options.” Chopra wants to return to the North East and was dropped for Cardiff’s astonishing 4-4 draw at Peterborough United yesterday. The former England Under-21 international quit Tyneside in 2006 and has been a success in three stints at Cardiff City. Chopra, who also made 39 appearances for Sunderland after becoming such a hit at Cardiff, however, wouldn’t come on the cheap after the Bluebirds paid £4m for his services last season. And United may have to stump up a hefty sum to secure one of the Championship’s predatory strikers. However, cash-strapped Cardiff will be open to offers. Hughton says: “It’s no secret that we want to replace what we’ve had, which is a centre-forward and a centre-half. “The two players – Zurab and Marlon – have gone back, and we have to make decisions on those two, and look at the options we have. “At this moment, we’re still making decisions, and weighing up the options we have, and nothing’s been finalised yet.” One player that Hughton says he is not chasing, though, is Rangers star Kris Boyd. Hughton has already dismissed talk of Boyd coming to Tyneside during the January window and was mystified by fresh speculation linking him with the Ibrox star. He said: “That’s absolute news to me. I’m not aware of anything there.” Hughton has assured fans that he will be working round the clock during the window to make sure the job of promotion is complete. He said: “There will be players that become available who we thought wouldn’t be available.” | 
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