Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is ready to launch a January move for Sheffield United central defender Matt Kilgallon.

Hughton initially tried to sign the 25-year-old York-born player in August and also made a second enquiry ahead of the loan transfer deadline.

Hughton told the Evening Chronicle: "Matt Kilgallon is one of a few players we have had an interest in.

"The bigger time for us is the window and we have got to make sure we do the right business then."

Hughton's signings to date have all been loan deals or out-of-contract players with Danny Simpson, Marlon Harewood, Zurab Khizanishvili, Peter Lovenkrands and Fabrice Pancrate having been drafted in since the mass exodus from Tyneside which followed relegation from the Barclays Premier League.