Newcastle United boss Alan Shearer is planning a bid for Wigan Athletic defender Paul Scharner.

The Mirror says Shearer and his staff are working on targets for the summer in the hope they beat the drop - and the feelers have already gone out for the experienced centre-back who could beef up a weak defence.

Scharner has been at Wigan for three seasons, but has hinted he wants a move. He has an escape clause in his contract that would force Wigan to sell if they receive an offer of £6million or more - even though Magpies owner Mike Ashley and his Latics counterpart Dave Whelan have fallen out.