NEWCASTLE UNITED are in no rush to sell Steven Taylor despite interest from Queens Park Rangers.

The Magpies are keen to keep hold of the homegrown centre-back even though offloading him could increase the chances of landing long-term French target Loic Remy.

After losing James Perch and Danny Simpson this summer, manager Alan Pardew would actually prefer to bolster his defensive options rather than lose another.

Pardew is a big fan of Taylor and has regularly backed him for an England cap.

The 27-year-old's name has been mentioned in a player-plus-cash deal which could have seen Remy head to St James' Park from QPR.

Despite Newcastle's strong interest in the Loftus Road front-man, however, there is no desire on Pardew or the club's part to lose Taylor.

It has also been suggested Middlesbrough have enquired about the player's availability. The reality, however, is that Taylor does not want to drop in to the Championship, nor do Newcastle want to sell.

Newcastle have been in touch with QPR about Remy and the ideal scenario for Pardew would be to bring the former Marseille man in along with Darren Bent.

At this stage Bent is the most likely. When director of football Joe Kinnear returns from holiday today, he will make pushing through a deal for the former Sunderland man his priority.

Bent is understood to be keen on moving back to the North-East and Villa are desperate to have him off their wage bill.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of their £20m-rated Christian Benteke, Bent has been training in the Midlands while the Villa first team squad have been on a pre-season tour of Germany.

Newcastle are set to begin their pre-season schedule tomorrow night when they play their first friendly of the summer at Motherwell.

Goalkeeper Tim Krul will not be at Fir Park as he continues his recovery from a dislocated shoulder. He does expect to be fit for the start of the new Premier League season on August 17.

But if Arsenal follow up tentative interest in the Dutchman then he could find himself starting the campaign at the Emirates rather than against Manchester City.

With Julio Cesar, Arsenal's top target, set for a loan move to Napoli, the Gunners are looking elsewhere for a new shot-stopper and Krul is on their shortlist.

Arsene Wenger is ready to spend £7m on a new goalkeeper, so Newcastle – who have been recently linked with PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Jerome Zoet – are bracing themselves for an offer from North London.

Senegalese striker Papiss Cisse, meanwhile, has had talks with Newcastle over his desire not to wear the new Wonga-sponsored shirt.

It was claimed yesterday Cisse had been training on his own because of the situation and his future was uncertain. However, while he did train alone in the gym, it is understood it was part of his pre-season programme after being given extra-time off following internationals.

Cisse, who will not go to Motherwell tomorrow but will head out to Portugal, is believed to have offered to wear a charity logo on his shirt and training gear instead of the Wonga sign which goes against his religious beliefs.