Kinnear looking for answers in the transfer market

Joe Kinnear was awaiting answers from two transfer window targets after Newcastle launched a joint £8m swoop.

Hours before the Magpies slipped out of the FA Cup in a third round replay defeat by Hull at St James Park, they tabled two £4m offers for much-needed reinforcements for their threadbare squad.

Kinnear was giving little away about the identities of the players he wants to bring to Tyneside, but it is understood they are Rennes Cameroon international midfielder Stephane Mbia and Toulouse full-back Albin Ebondo.

Kinnear, who also hopes to tie up a short-term deal with Denmark international midfielder Peter Lovenkrands this week, made the breakthrough after talks with owner Mike Ashley on Monday evening.

He said: “What I said to Mike was, I had identified the two players we want, I told him the price of the two players and he agreed to get them – providing they [the clubs] accept the offers. I am very optimistic about it."