Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has hinted the Magpies are close to a £5m deal for Lille defender Mathieu Debuchy when the January transfer window opens. Pardew admitted he needed to strengthen his defensive options with a new recruit in the near future.

"Defensively we are so short, we need some defenders and that's what I've given my message to the board here," he said.

"They've got that loud and clear. I think we hope to see somebody sooner or later."

 Click here to reach the No1 destination for hard news and exciting gossip on Newcastle United