Newcastle interested in Downing deal

Newcastle United are considering a move for Liverpool winger Stewart Downing, the Mail Online understands.

The 29 year old was told by manager Brendan Rodgers last November that he was free to find a new club, but managed to force his way back into the Reds first team during the second half of the season.

The England international played in every domestic game from the 3-1 defeat to Villa on December 15th to the end of the season, a run in which he scored his first league goals for the club.

He had told Rodgers that he was happy to stay and fight new signings Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto for his place at Anfield, though he may be tempted to secure a move back to his native North East.

Magpies Director of Football Joe Kinnear is hoping to secure a £5m deal for the former Middlesbrough man – a quarter of the fee Liverpool paid to Aston Villa for his services two years ago.