Don't expect many transfer fireworks!

Aug 29 2010 by Mark Douglas, Sunday Sun

Although it would be foolish to write off a few shock names emerging from the pack, neither Newcastle nor Sunderland expect more than a couple of arrivals between now and Tuesday dinnertime.

The Sunday Sun has been told that Bruce isn’t really looking beyond top targets Charles N’Zogbia and Asamoah Gyan – but there is a Plan B tucked away in his top office drawer if he doesn’t get it.

The word in agent land is Portsmouth hitman John Utaka remains a £1million target, but Sunderland insist the player is driving that move rather the club.

Interestingly John Benson was in Holland watching a £6m-rated Eredivisie striker last weekend – but it would be beyond the supporters’ dreams to imagine the ambitious plan hatched in the spring to bring Luis Suarez in could come to fruition.

Over at St James’ Park the completion of the Hatem Ben Arfa deal leaves Hughton with two spots to fill – up front and at left-back.

A loan move for Robbie Keane is in the balance – Spurs are unlikely to subsidise Newcastle’s ambition to have him for the season – but there are other irons in the fire, including a French-based Ligue 1 striker.

Left-back cover could be provided by Bolton’s Jlloyd Samuel, but Hughton’s problem is no one wants to join Newcastle as a second choice. Tamas Kadar offers a cheap and reasonable alternative.

For Middlesbrough, the need is less pressing with the loan market still open to them.

An experienced goalkeeper happy to play second fiddle to Jason Steele and Dundee United winger Craig Conway are expected through the door before September 1.