'Keeper cover

The injury to Shay Given and the lack of experienced back-up to Steve Harper has led to us being linked to a number of goalkeepers on short-term loan deals, including former Coventry, Celtic and Sweden 'keeper Magnus Hedman (who has said he was flattered by our interest) and old boy Pavel "Is A Geordie" Srnicek. The man who seems to be on his way, though, is former PSV Eindhoven, Man City and Rangers man Ronald Waterreus.

Waterreus would bring with him a wealth of experience, and as such it would be a sensible move by the club. "Sensible"? Well, yes, there's a first time for everything.