NEWCASTLE boss Graeme Souness will wait until the end of week before making a decision on whether or not to sign French trialist Yoann Lachor.

Lens full-back Lachor arrived on Tyneside yesterday morning, and some reports had suggested Souness would offer the 29-year-old a permanent deal later today.

But, while the Scot has admitted he is desperate to sign at least one defender this month, he will not be rushing into any hasty decisions with more than three weeks of the transfer window still to go.

"Lachor will spend a few days training with us so we can take a close look at him," confirmed Souness, who had previously spoken of his desire to sign an English-based defender.

"We will see how he does and then we will make a decision at the end of the week. Apart from that, it's all quiet."

Lachor, who held informal talks with Birmingham in November, is desperate for a move after slipping down the pecking order at Lens.

The tough-tackling left-back, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is available for a nominal fee despite a series of impressive European displays in recent years.

Lens have agreed to his three-day trial on Tyneside and are already turning their attention towards recruiting his successor.

"We will not go against his departure if we find an agreement that suits everyone," said Lens sporting director Francis Collado. "This is no problem if he goes rapidly. We are working to replace him."

Souness is continuing to work on the possible arrival of Charlton midfielder Danny Murphy.

Sources in London suggest Murphy is growing increasingly disillusioned with life at the Valley and has outlined his concerns to Alan Curbishley.

The Addicks boss is reluctant to lose his most influential midfielder, but is unwilling to keep anyone who does not want to be at the club.

Murphy does not quite fall into that category yet, but Souness is hoping Curbishley can be persuaded to agree to a loan deal involving wantaway Magpies midfielder Lee Bowyer.

The one-time England international is keen to return to his native London, although Curbishley is understood to value him at around £1m less than his valuation of Murphy.

"Danny Murphy is a player I like and Lee Bowyer wants to go back to London, but I haven't heard anything else on that score," said Souness.

"There isn't much money so we will just have to be as creative as we can in the transfer market."

Souness is also continuing to monitor the availability of Real Sociedad's Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci, a player also interesting Russian outfit Spartak Moscow.

Meanwhile, Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has hailed record goalscorer Alan Shearer as the "greatest signing" in the club's history.

Shearer, who cost £15m when he moved from Blackburn in July 1996, equalled Jackie Milburn's scoring record for the Magpies on Saturday, striking his 200th goal to earn Newcastle a 1-0 win over Mansfield in the third round of the FA Cup.

At the time, many observers questioned the multi-million pound fee but, after watching Shearer write his name in the Newcastle record books, Shepherd feels he was worth every penny.

"When we paid £15m for Shearer a lot of people in football told us they thought we'd made a mistake," said Shepherd.

"But he is without doubt, pound for pound, the greatest signing in the club's history. He is a Geordie who is proud to wear the black and white shirt and captain his club.

"We actually felt right from the start that we had made a real steal by getting Shearer - and this has turned out to be the case.

"His goals have brought great pleasure to all of us, and it was fitting in many ways that he got his 200th in the FA Cup and at the Gallowgate End where he used to stand and watch the team as a boy.

"It was a fantastic moment when Alan shot and the ball hit the back of the Gallowgate net for his 200th goal. I'm sure it won't be long now before he goes on and sets a new record and that will be another special moment."

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