Mike Williamson on verge of signing

Jan 26 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

NEWCASTLE United are on the verge of a breakthrough in their efforts to sign centre-back Mike Williamson before the close of the transfer window, with Chris Hughton confident the deal will be completed in the next 24 hours.

The delay has been a frustrating one for everyone concerned after the Magpies agreed a fee with Portsmouth and the player travelled to Tyneside for a medical and to discuss personal terms on Friday.

Hughton hopes everything will be completed before United’s home game against Crystal Palace tomorrow night and, with Steven Taylor facing up to two months on the sidelines with knee ligament damage, Danny Simpson struggling with an ankle problem and Ryan Taylor suspended, the signing could not come at a better time.

Nevertheless, Williamson (pictured right) has not played a single first-team game for Portsmouth after a summer move from Watford and will inevitably take some time to adjust, even if he is thrown straight into the Newcastle starting line-up.

“In all honesty I’ve kept out of the politics of why it didn’t happen last week,” said Hughton, who continues to believe he will get the number of players he wants to to ensure the squad is strong enough to win promotion.

“I’m under the impression they’re working very hard on it and we’re confident it’s going to happen. I just want the player here. I hope we’re close to resolving it. We were disappointed it didn’t go through a couple of days ago and we’re hopeful something will happen very soon.