The Toon right-back is in contention to start the Magpies’ curtain-raiser against Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow ... suggesting there could be a major u-turn that could keep him at St James' Park.
With Newcastle unable to come to an agreement with Lille defender Mathieu Debuchy – who picked up an ankle injury against Uruguay for France this week – Simpson has the chance to resurrect his Toon career.
Alan Pardew: “He has a good attitude. Things were not great for him.
“He only has one year left and the contract we offered him he did not think it was right.
“We have not had a bid which has been right for him, so he has stayed here.
“He has to earn a contract with us – or with another Premier League club which he will get.
“So we will have to wait and see.
“His attitude, though, has been first-class.”