By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

22nd Aug, 2023 | 12:17pm

Sources: Middlesbrough, West Brom and Millwall in race to sign Newcastle star Hayden

Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden is a top target for Middlesbrough, West Brom, QPR and Millwall, sources have told Football Insider.

The 28-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements at Newcastle and he has been frozen out as well as made available for transfer.

Eddie Howe has made it clear Hayden is not part of his first-team plans and the player has been forced to train away from the first-team squad.

Hayden spent last season out on loan with Norwich City, but made only 14 appearances in the Championship with injuries hampering his time at Carrow Road.

Now Championship quartet Middlesbrough, West Brom, QPR and Millwall have registered their interest in signing the midfield anchorman on loan.

Hayden’s current contract at St James’ Park runs until 2026 after joining from Arsenal in 2016 where he made his way through the youth ranks but ultimately never made a first team appearance.

The former England international has made 171 appearances for the Magpies and has netted seven goals and offered up ten assists in those outings.

Elsewhere in the Championship, an unnamed second tier club are interested in Stevenage’s director of football Leon Hunter.

He is highly-regarded within football circles for spells at Stevenage and Nottingham Forest.

Hunter’s impressive work at Stevenage has brought him onto the radar of a number of clubs higher up the football pyramid, with one club making an approach.

Hunter has played a key role at academy and senior levels. and helped Steve Evans build a promotion-winning team from League Two – on one of the league’s most modest budgets.

In other news, Newcastle pull plug on defender deal after extensive talks.