Newcastle United remain hopeful of a deal for Toulouse defender Albin Ebondo.

The Evening Chronicle says United officials were in France yesterday trying to tie up the deal for the 24-year-old, and manager Joe Kinnear remained optimistic despite claims from the player's representative that he had been told to stay at Toulouse.

Kinnear said: "We are likely to be without Habib Beye for 10 games, and that's 30 points to play for.

"We need more than cover, and we need to build up the squad.

"I'm hopeful Albin will join us and we are just waiting for the handshake on that deal. It's very much an ongoing thing."