Newcastle won't rule out Campbell move

Campbell is a free agent after leaving Notts County

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is not ruling out move for vastly-experienced former England defender Sol Campbell.

The 35-year-old, who is currently based in Northumberland, was heavily linked with the Magpies during the summer but ultimately signed a five-year deal with Coca-Cola League Two Notts County in one of the most surprising deals of recent times.

However, the 73-times-capped player's spell at Meadow Lane lasted just one game - at 2-1 defeat by Morecambe - and he is currently fighting a legal battle with the club over his registration after his contract was terminated "by mutual consent".

He hopes that situation will be resolved at a hearing on December 10, and has indicated his interest in resuming his career at St James' Park.

Hughton has been told he will have a small budget to play with in January, but the chance to recruit a player of Campbell's stature is one he admits he cannot afford to ignore.

He said: "It's one that I wouldn't rule out.

"He's a player who will go somewhere at some stage, and he will get a lot of offers. But we won't rule him out of coming here.

"I don't expect him to go anywhere at the moment, but he will be playing somewhere. I don't expect that to be until after Christmas."

Campbell began his career at Tottenham but controversially crossed the north London divide during the summer of 2001 to join Arsenal.

His five years with the Gunners brought him two Premier League titles and the same number of FA Cup wins before he left on a free transfer for Portsmouth, where he again picked up an FA Cup winner's medal in 2008.

Hughton said: "He has still got a lot to offer the game. He's already been at Notts County, but he only played one game so he hasn't played a lot of football.

"Wherever he goes, it will be on the back of that one game, but he has stated a desire to carry on playing, so it is one that possibly might happen."