United keen to flog pricey trio and loan out prospects

NEWCASTLE United have kicked off their transfer window reshuffle with a slew of players set to leave the club on loan – with others potentially exiting permanently.

January exits will certainly be the preferred option for Rolando Aarons and Achraf Lazaar as Newcastle try to trim the wage bill with Rob Elliot now Rafa Benitez’s fourth-choice goalkeeper.

The exit of any of the trio would ease Benitez’s wage bill with the best part of £80,000 per week being shelled out on the senior players.

A clutch of Under-23 players are set to head out until the end of the season after United’s Checkatrade Trophy campaign came to an end with Tuesday’s defeat at the Stadium of Light.

Left-back Liam

Gibson is heading to Accrington Stanley while the Magpies will make a decision on Elias Sorensen during his international call-up with Denmark, with the striker due back on January 20. The Magpies have recalled Josef Yarney from Morecambe and young striker Luke Charman from Accrington while Dan Barlaser has already extended his stay at the Wham Stadium. Newcastle also have decisions to make on a host of youngsters with clubs interested in a loan deal for the second half of the season. Cal Roberts, Nathan Harker and Kelland Watts could also be candidates for temporary moves if the right clubs came along. United boss Benitez is yet to get any of his transfer requests sanctioned after submitting a list in December.

The Spaniard has not been afforded a single penny to spend on a January transfer since taking charge.