Close, but who?

Glenn Roeder fueled the Tyneside transfer talk today by admitting Newcastle could be as little as a week away from two or three signings. The general nitter-natter over the last few days has been of the possible arrivals of Obafemi Martins (Inter), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea) and Thomas Gravesen (Real Madrid). Originally paper-talk, but now widely regarded as expected moves - NUFC.com have told readers to expect movement with those three players, and stories don't find themselves on that website if there isn't some substance of truth.

Roeder has also confirmed that frustrating centre-half Jean-Alain Boumsong might well be going out on a 12-month loan. Will he be replaced by another central defender? With the departure of Elliot and Boumsong, of which we had need for last season, well, defence is the last place we need to find ourselves lacking in.