Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan is closing in on Middlesbrough centre-half Jonathan Woodgate.

The Guardian says the 27-year-old, who rejected a move back to Newcastle when he returned from Spain because he believed he would be "happier" at his hometown club, has told friends he is unhappy at the Riverside where his form has been inconsistent.

Woodgate, who is keen on the idea of playing for Keegan, would be a popular signing at Newcastle.

Keegan will almost certainly offer the former England Under-21 international Shola Ameobi as a potential sweetener to try and facilitate a deal since Boro manager Gareth Southgate has previously expressed an interest in the Newcastle striker.