United continued to track the exciting winger, with Magpies scout Norman Wooster keep tabs on the Scandinavian star. And with Norway’s Tippeligaen season due to shut up shop for the winter break, Skjelbred will be available for a loan deal. A Rosenborg source told the Chronicle today from Norway: “We’ve been told that the Skjelbred transfer situation will continue, with a potential loan move for the midfielder now in the works during the Norwegian off-season (November to March), with a view to a permanent transfer should there be a possibility for it.” Hughton must also decide whether to extend the loan deal for Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood. Harewood has made three starts for the Magpies and failed to net in any of them, but he did score against Queens Park Rangers after coming off the bench. But while Skjelbred’s arrival would add more flair to Hughton’s side his main priority will be cover for his depleted defensive line-up. United only have two senior centre-backs they can call their own in Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini, while Ryan Taylor and Jose Enrique are the only recognised full-backs with any experience. Hughton – who is trying to look at the picture from a long-term perspective – does have borrowed bodies in the shape of Zurab Khizanishvili and Danny Simpson. However, nobody could blame him for wanting a more permanent solution to a defence which has at times struggled for numbers with Manchester United loan star Simpson already been fielded out of position on several occasions. Hughton was interested in Cort on a loan basis earlier this season, but settled for Georgian international Khizanishvili from Blackburn Rovers. Recent defensive struggles which have resulted in Steven Taylor and Coloccini being injured, mean either a permanent or temporary bid for Cort are likely. United managing director Derek Llambias today said: “If Chris sees a player he wants to buy for a million pounds or so we will go out and get him for the team.” | 
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