Star delays new deal

Danny Simpson has dropped a strong hint that he wants to be at Newcastle next season even though contract talks remain ongoing.

The Magpies have offered the defender a four-and-a-half year agreement but the paperwork remains unsigned and that has alerted rival clubs such as Aston Villa, Queens Park Rangers and Fulham. Both the player and the club hope to sort out the deal as soon as possible but there have been suggestions that Simpson could hold fire and may even run his contract down next season. Newcastle will be reluctant to let that happen as they do not want to lose him on a free transfer and they could even put him up for sale at the end of the season. "Danny loves it in Newcastle and is excited about next season," a source close to the player told the Chronicle. "He wants to stay at Newcastle next year and then see what happens." Joey Barton, Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique have all moved on recently without much success and Simpson may be best advised to sign up before Newcastle change their mind.