NEWCASTLE UNITED will seek firm assurances about Loic Remy’s long-term commitment to the club before lodging a formal offer for the want-away QPR striker.

Remy’s future is in a state of some uncertainty after a proposed move to Liverpool collapsed amid strong suggestions of a problem with the French striker’s medical.

As things stand, Remy is due to begin pre-season training with QPR at the start of next week, but Harry Redknapp has already written the striker out of his plans and it remains extremely unlikely that he will be lining up at Loftus Road next season.

Newcastle officials attempted to strike a permanent deal for Remy after his loan move to St James’ Park expired at the end of last season, but at the time, the 27-year-old expressed major reservations about signing a long-term deal with Magpies, preferring instead to pursue his ambitions of competing in the Champions League.

While Alan Pardew has successfully added Emmanuel Riviere to his squad, he would like to sign another centre-forward this summer, having lost Shola Ameobi and Luuk de Jong since the end of last season as well as Remy.

Newcastle’s recruitment team are understood to have discussed Remy’s current position with their counterparts at QPR in the last few days, but they will not be taking their interest any further unless they receive strong indications that the forward wants to return to the North-East.

At the moment, such assurances have not been forthcoming, and having been disappointed with Remy’s conduct in the closing stages of last season, when he appeared to be more interested in ensuring his fitness for the World Cup than aiding Newcastle’s attempts to finish in the top half of the table, both Pardew and managing director Lee Charnley will be wary about making another move.

Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng remain alternative attacking options, although there would be difficulties involved in pursuing either striker given their high price tags and stated desire to play in Europe next season.

Newcastle return to pre-season action when they take on Championship side Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough tonight, although Pardew is expected to rest most of the senior players who were involved in the recent tour of New Zealand.

The likes of Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor and Siem de Jong are not expected to travel to South Yorkshire, although summer signing Remy Cabella could be involved after missing out on the long-haul trip to face Sydney and Wellington.

“Having just got back from New Zealand, some of the lads need a bit of a rest so this (the Sheff Wed game) will be a chance for some of the younger lads in the squad,” said Pardew.

“We’ll be looking for a result like the two we got on the tour, and a good performance as well, and hopefully some of the lads can perform well and give us something to think about.”