Newcastle United face competition from Stoke City for Blackburn Rovers defender Christopher Samba.

The People says the big Congo centre-half is ready to quit Rovers after falling out of favour with boss Paul Ince.

The defender was seething after being left out of the Carling Cup clash with Manchester United in midweek because of a couple of slip-ups in the previous game against Portsmouth.

Stoke are also interested in the former Hertha Berlin player, but the 24-year-old is thought to favour a move to the north east.