Mackems Ready To Swoop On Newcastle?

Quinn: "It would be harmful to give you names of people we are closing in on - I would like to think that's the phrase.

"I hope people understand we are selective and we have a golden set of rules, if you like, between Roy, the chief executive Peter (Walker) and myself.

"The character of the player, the background information we need and the deal itself, we are piecing it together piece by piece.

"We know our duties, we know we have to get players in, but I would like to think people would be proud and happy with the lot we end up with.

"I know people would like it sooner rather than later, but I think the next fortnight is important because we start back on July 9 and I am sure Roy would like to have the majority of his signings in by then.

"We would like to have a bit of movement in the next week, 10 days. I would be far happier and maybe it is time to really up the ante."

The Black Cats have been chasing Nicky Butt and Damien Duff for some time, although Duff is out injured ... just as he was at the start of last season.

New Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce has replaced Scott Parker with Joey Barton, and the midfield is very strong at the moment, and Butt could be tempted to join up again with his old team-mate Roy Keane. But his £40,000 per week wages have put off other clubs in the past, namely Birmingham and Sheffield United who wanted him.

Duff missed the last month of the Premiership season with a foot injury which is likely to keep him out of action for several months.

Allardyce admits the former Chelsea winger's injury is a serious problem - and insists that Duff's long-term wellbeing is his chief concern.

Allardyce: "It'll be way, way off before we will see Damien Duff playing for us, and really we are talking about November.

"It is a much more serious injury than say the broken metatarsal that Michael Owen suffered. And it is not a case of how quickly we can get Damien back, but making sure he is 100 per cent when we do get him back."