Magpies determined to get their man

NEWCASTLE were yesterday closing in on their man as they stepped up efforts to lure Harry Redknapp to St James’ Park.

Redknapp did not attend Portsmouth’s scheduled pre-match press conference, leaving the club’s training as the media gathered amid mounting speculation over the Magpies’ interest.

The Tyneside club were preparing to formalise their interest in the 60-year-old yesterday by making an approach to Pompey for permission to speak to him. Neither club would confirm or deny contact was made yesterday.

However, Redknapp’s impromptu departure, and the fact that Newcastle chairman Chris Mort was away from his desk, added fuel to the fire as the former West Ham boss was backed down to an over-whelming 1/7 favourite with Ladbrokes.

Portsmouth moved quickly last night to make their position clear, insisting Redknapp was committed to the club’s future.

But there is a growing acceptance that his days at Fratton Park could be numbered amid rumours that talks over a compensation package are already underway.

Redknapp, who was driven away from the training ground by chief executive officer Peter Storrie, had earlier played his cards close to his chest, reiterating his insistence that he had heard nothing.

The manager told the Portsmouth News: “To say a deal has already been done is absolute rubbish.

“There has been no approach.

“Nobody from Newcastle has contacted me and in any case, that wouldn’t be allowed. Nobody has contacted Peter Storrie.”

However, the signs are that things have progressed rapidly since then with Newcastle hoping to install Sam Allardyce’s replacement in plenty of time to make an impact in the January transfer window.

The vacancy at St James’ has been described in some quarters as a poisoned chalice since Allardyce’s demise, but one of its former incumbents believes it is one of the biggest jobs in the domestic game.

Jim Smith, a close friend of Redknapp, said: “I haven’t spoken to him yet. It is a fantastic opportunity, but it is a big ask.

“Newcastle is a big club. It is one of the biggest jobs in English football — in fact, it is one of the biggest jobs in European football.”

In the meantime, Newcastle must travel to Manchester United this evening. Coach Nigel Pearson has the task of preparing the team as they attempt to end a run of three successive league defeats.

He will have Emre and James Milner back from injury and illness respectively, while Stephen Carr could rejoin the squad after a hamstring problem.