CHRIS HUGHTON will attempt to make Matt Kilgallon his first cash signing as Newcastle United boss.
The Toon manager tried to sign the Sheffield United ace, who is available for a nominal fee in January, in August before the transfer window slammed shut.
And he enquired about the former England Under-21 international and ex-Leeds United man ahead of tonight’s transfer loan deadline.
Hughton has been eager to bolster his squad by the addition of a centre-back and Kilgallon and Stoke City’s Leon Cort are top of his shopping list.
Kilgallon’s arrival on Tyneside would curtail Sol Campbell’s hopes of joining the Magpies after the player’s declaration that he wants to pull on a Toon shirt as soon as he escapes from his contract nightmare with Notts County.
Meanwhile, Kilgallon has already told close pals at Bramall Lane that he has agreed a move in principle to St James’, and under- pressure boss Kevin Blackwell and his assistant Gary Speed are resigned to losing the centre-back in January.
York-born Kilgallon – who is currently nursing an ankle injury – has his heart set on a switch to Tyneside despite interest from a clutch of Premier League sides.
Hughton told the Chronicle today: “Matt Kilgallon’s one of a few players that we’ve had an interest in, but I don’t anticipate anything being done today.
“The bigger time for us is the window, and we’ve got to make sure we do the right business then.”
The Chronicle also understands that January will see Hughton make a plea to Mike Ashley to bolster his squad with a new midfielder and a new striker to boost their promotion bid.
Hughton is unlikely to bring anybody else in before the window closes tonight, with Danny Simpson, Marlon Harewood and Zurab Khizanishvili currently topping up his paper-thin squad.
The Georgian international is available for selection against Swansea on Saturday after serving a three-match ban due to his red card against Doncaster.
And while the Keepmoat Stadium outfit had a loan move for Kazenga LuaLua turned down by United today, Hughton said: “At the moment I don’t anticipate anyone coming in. I don’t think anyone will be going out, either.”
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