Hendrick is right on Tyne

JEFF HENDRICK’S move to Newcastle United took a step forward last night as the Irish midfielder underwent a medical on Tyneside yesterday. The 28-year-old Dubliner, who has 54 caps for the Republic of Ireland, is expected to sign a three-year contract today after his time at Burnley finished at the end of June. As there is no transfer fee involved, Hendrick will top up his wages considerably - his last deal at Burnley was worth around €43,000 per week. Hendrick would represent Newcastle’s first summer signing under Steve Bruce since the collapse of the proposed takeover in July. After impressing for Ireland at the finals of Euro 2016, Hendrick was signed by Burnley manager Sean Dyche from Derby County for a then club record fee of £10.5m He made 139 appearances for Burnley, 24 of them last season in which he scored twice and had two assists. Hendrick had been linked with AC Milan and Manchester United, while West Ham stepped up their interest this week but Bruce was always confident he’d land a prime target. Hendrick’s tackling, strength and stamina will bring durability to a Newcastle engine room that has lacked revs. Irish winger Ronan Curtis has made a short-list of six for the PFA League One Player of the Year award after a stand-out season with Portsmouth. Curtis scored 14 goals and had eight assists in 44 appearances in all competitions for Pompey who lost to Oxford in the play-off semi-finals.