Magpie striker Murphy could return to Black Cats in loan deal

SUNDERLAND and Aston Villa are among a host of Championship clubs chasing Newcastle United striker Daryl Murphy.

The 34-year-old is available for transfer this summer and the Magpies are willing to let the Republic of Ireland international seek first-team football elsewhere, given his gametime is likely to be limited now United are back in the Premier League.

Last season, Murphy made just 14 Championship appearances for Newcastle but scored five important goals as he helped the Magpies clinch the second-tier title.

Murphy himself even admitted earlier this summer Rafa Benitez had told him he could look for a new club – and it appearsthe proven Championship marksman has a host of suitors.

The Irish Sun reports Steve Bruce wants to take Murphy – who has a year left on his Newcastle UNited contract – to Villa on a permanent deal, while interestingly the publication also claims Sunderland and Nottingham Forest have enquired about signing the veteran forward on loan.

Murphy scored 14 goals in 124 appearances for the Black Cats during a five-year stint at the Stadium of Light between 2005 and 2010 but a direct return to Wearside from Newcastle – particularly on loan – would be almost unprecedented in the modern era.

Murphy expects to leave United this summer, however, and said last month: “Rafa is a top, top manager. He texted me after the Uruguay (against Ireland) game to say well done. I spoke to him last week about my future and he thanked me for what I had done and said they were going to listen to a few offers. I said: ‘That is fine.’

“I always knew I had been brought in there to do a specific job, to help the club get promoted.

“I had no illusions I was going to be starting for Newcastle in the Premier League if we got up.

“I have got another year left on my contract.

“I will go back there for pre-season and look at my options.”