MIKE ASHLEY will not be changing his stance on loan signings this month – effectively ruling out any chance of Newcastle United re-signing Loic Remy.

Ashley is willing to adapt his transfer policy slightly, with head coach Steve McClaren having stressed the need for more Premier League experience as he battles to keep the Magpies in the top-flight.

However, the Newcastle owner remains unwilling to agree to loan deals that do not include the potential for a permanent transfer at some stage in the future, as he feels such agreements are effectively a means of writing off money.

Chelsea are considering loaning out Remy for the second half of the season, and sources in London claim the striker would be willing to consider a return to Newcastle, where he scored 14 goals in 26 Premier League appearances in the 2013-14 campaign.

However, Ashley has no interest in a permanent deal for Remy, who turned 29 at the start of the week, and is therefore unwilling to consider signing the Frenchman on a temporary basis either.

If Newcastle are to agree to loan additions before the transfer window closes on February 1, they will only be for players who could potentially move to St James’ Park on a full-time basis at the end of the season.

There is a shared acceptance that Newcastle desperately need to recruit a new striker this month, but despite having monitored a number of targets in the last few weeks, there is nothing currently in the offing.

Charlie Austin’s future remains as uncertain as ever, with Crystal Palace currently leading the chase for the QPR striker.

Palace boss Alan Pardew is understood to have held a number of discussions with QPR officials, but with Austin willing to stay at Loftus Road until the end of the season, there is still a chance the 26-year-old could remain with his current employers until his contract expires.

Newcastle have also scouted Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi, but with the Ligue 1 club having slapped a £30m price tag on the Belgian’s head, there is little chance of a deal being agreed.

The Marseille hierarchy have consistently claimed they have no desire to sell Batshuayi, and sources in France claim the striker could even be poised to sign a new deal that will commit him to the Stade Velodrome until 2020.

Newcastle have also been linked with Dwight Gayle, but the club do not have an interest in the out-of-favour Crystal Palace striker.

They would like to sign Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, but will have to beat off considerable competition in order to do so.

As well as targeting Austin, Crystal Palace are also keen to sign Shelvey, who looks certain to leave the Liberty Stadium this month after he was left out of the squad for Swansea’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United last weekend.

Newcastle first looked at Shelvey when Pardew was manager on Tyneside, but the club’s recruitment team decided he was too expensive. McClaren has urged them to resurrect their interest, but it remains to be seen whether Pardew will have the last laugh by taking the midfielder to Selhurst Park.

Gael Bigirimana’s permanent departure from the North-East moved a step closer yesterday when he agreed a loan extension that will keep him at League One side Coventry City until January 24.

Bigirimana has made five senior appearances since moving to the Ricoh Arena in November, and Sky Blues boss Tony Mowbray is keen to make his transfer permanent at some stage.