RANGERS boss Walter Smith is hoping the lure of Champions League football will be sufficient to tempt Newcastle goalkeeper Fraser Forster to move to Ibrox.

Forster has spent the campaign on loan in League One at Norwich City, with his 18 clean sheets in 35 matches helping the Canaries win promotion to the Championship.

The 22-year-old shot-stopper is due to return to St James’ Park after Norwich play their final game of the season against Carlisle a week on Saturday, but his chances of first-team football are likely to remain remote for the foreseeable future.

Steve Harper will retain his position as Newcastle’s firstchoice shot-stopper next season, and Tim Krul is expected to continue in his role as the Magpies’ number two.

With Forster expected to earn a maiden call-up to the England Under-21s in September, Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is understandably reluctant to sell despite the strength of his side’s goalkeeping resources.

However, if he is not in Hughton’s match-day squad in the early part of next season, Forster is expected to request another loan.

Norwich boss Paul Lambert will offer him a return to Carrow Road, having described him as a “world-class goalkeeper in the making”

this month.

But Gers boss Smith is also determined to land the Hexham- born keeper as he attempts to strengthen ahead of a campaign in the Champions League.

While finances at Ibrox remain tight, the guaranteed income will enable Smith to make a handful of signings this summer.

While Allan McGregor has spent the campaign as Rangers’ number one, Smith is keen to ensure competition next term, and Scottish sources claim Forster heads a list of potential recruits.

Ironically, Rangers offered Forster a trial at Ibrox weeks before Newcastle swooped to sign the Northumbrian on his first professional contract.

■ Phil Airey scored a hattrick yesterday as Newcastle reserves completed their campaign with a 3-0 win over Grimsby Town.

The Amble-born youngster opened the scoring after latching on to Conor Newton’s through ball and then profited from a Darren Lough’s fine overlapping run.

Airey completed his treble from the penalty spot.

Newcastle: Johnson, Lough, Dummett, Newton (Vuckic 65), Folan, Tavernier, Godsmark, Inman (McLaughin 65), Sam Ameobi (Baheng 46), Airey, Ferguson.

■ Chris Hughton has been nominated for April’s Championship Manager of the Month award, while Kevin Nolan has been shortlisted in the Player of the Month category.