Duo hope Ritchie’s in Toon with their plans

STOKE and Middlesbrough are fighting for Newcastle’s £15million-rated Matt Ritchie.

The ambitious Championship duo are keen to sign Ritchie to boost promotion hopes and have held talks with Toon.

The Scotland winger (above) cost Newcastle £12m from Bournemouth two years ago and Toon boss Rafa Benitez may be open to selling to generate funds.

However Ritchie, 28, could take some persuading to drop to the Championship.