Allardyce lines up Viduka move

It is understood the Magpies, who failed in a bid to take the 31-year-old to St James' Park in January after courting him last summer, are preparing to offer him another option as his deal at the Riverside Stadium draws to a close.

The Australia international, in his native country ahead of their Asian Cup campaign, admitted last weekend that he is agonising over his future. However, Viduka, who joined Boro in a £4.5million move from Leeds in July 2004, is keeping his options open with Newcastle, Manchester United, Portsmouth, West Ham and Genoa among the clubs linked with him in recent weeks.

Manager Gareth Southgate is hoping for an answer within the next week or so but, as new Magpies boss Sam Allardyce prepares for talks with Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins, the former Croatia Zagreb and Celtic hitman is in his sights.

Allardyce has held initial talks with chairman Freddy Shepherd over his spending plans, and the release of five players earlier this week freed up space within the squad he inherited from Glenn Roeder.

Viduka's contractual situation means he would be available on a free transfer, and the same applies to Israel international defender Tal Ben Haim.

The 25-year-old is also back in his own country as he considers the offer of a new deal from Bolton with Chelsea and Tottenham both reportedly looking on from a distance.

However, the former Maccabi Tel Aviv stopper thrived under Allardyce at the Reebok Stadium and with the recruitment of commanding defenders the main focus at St James', the manager's interest is no surprise.

Whether or not there are to be further departures remains to be seen with the futures of Owen, Martins, Kieron Dyer, Charles N'Zogbia and Emre among those to be resolved.

Central defender Steven Taylor too is seeking talks over his contract. The 21-year-old, who has two years of his current deal to run, claims he was promised improved terms when he reached 50 senior starts, something he achieved more than a year ago.