Newcastle United are hoping to clinch an amazing series of last minute transfer deals, Sky Sports News can excusively reveal. Deals that could see the Tynesiders' injury ravaged squad boosted by the arrival of several new faces with hours to spare before the window slams shut.
United who face Aston Villa tonight at St James' Park are close to agreeing deals for Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton in a swap deal for Emre Belozoglu, Chelsea flop Sean Wright-Phillips (on loan), £5m rated Dutchman Ryan Babel from Ajax Amsterdam, former number 9 hero Andy Cole and Liverpool's Robbie Fowler, both on loan.
Manager Glenn Roeder has already been busy in the January window and has this week brought in American giant Oguchi Onyewu on loan from Standard Liege to shore up defence but the desperate Toon boss is still fighting to bring in more new faces and Sky Sports News understands the Magpies are confident of concluding all deals.