Newcastle United are inviting offers for Leon Best and Danny Simpson.

The Sun says Toon top brass have given up on trying to get full-back Simpson to sign a new deal after he rejected their last, improved offer of £25,000 a week.

Striker Best has fallen way down the pecking order following injuries and the arrival of Senegal star Papiss Cisse.

Aston Villa have shown an interest in both players in the past and are set to launch bids this summer as boss Alex McLeish tries to bolster his wafer-thin squad.