Newcastle United have joined the battle for Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.

The Sunday Mirror says the Championship leaders want the midfielder on loan for the rest of the season to boost their bid to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Under Chris Hughton, Newcastle have established a healthy lead at the top of the table - and clearly Hughton feels an injection of new blood at the halfway stage of the season will give his squad a massive lift. However, Newcastle face competition for the 18-year-old - in England and abroad.

While he was at Burnley, Owen Coyle was close to agreeing a loan deal with ­Arsenal for Wilshere.

Coyle has now moved to Bolton - with Arsenal his first opposition at the Reebok ­Stadium today - but will still want to take Wilshere.

FC Twente of Holland - managed by Steve McClaren - also want him but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made it clear he would prefer Wilshere to stay in England, where it will be easier to monitor his progress.