Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton has confirmed his interest in signing Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford. Hughton insists Newcastle are still mulling over their New Year options and that no bids have been tabled with clubs, including an offer for Leeds' in-demand marksman.

"Jermaine Beckford is one of a few players that will of course be of interest to us," he told the Sunderland Echo. "In the work that we've done over the last few weeks and months, there have been numerous names that have been thrown at us.

"There'll continue to be players that become available that we thought wouldn't be available. We have to look at all the options we have, but, certainly, Jermaine's a player that will come into those options.

"It's no secret that we want to replace what we've had, which is a centre-forward and a centre-half. The two players - Zurab (Khizanishvili) and Marlon (Harewood) - have gone back, and we have to make decisions on those two, and the options we have.

"At this moment, we're still making decisions, and weighing up the options we have, and nothing's been finalised yet."