MARLON Harewood has outlined his desire to return to Newcastle for the second half of the season, but the striker’s future is likely to hinge on whether the Magpies can tie up a deal for Leeds United forward Jermaine Beckford.

Harewood made the final appearance of his loan deal from Aston Villa in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday, and while the 30- year-old is hoping to be back on Tyneside at the start of next month, Newcastle boss Chris Hughton currently regards him as a second choice behind Beckford.

Newcastle officials are understood to have been in touch with their counterparts at Elland Road last week to outline the club’s interest in Leeds’ leading goalscorer, who scored twice in his side’s 3-1 win over Hartlepool at the weekend.

Beckford, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has consistently refused to sign a new deal in West Yorkshire, and while Simon Grayson took him off the transfer list in the summer, the Leeds boss is now resigned to losing his star striker’s services next month.

Newcastle are far from the only club to harbour an interest, but the Magpies made tentative inquiries about Beckford’s position in the close season, and the Londoner is known to be keen on a move to the North-East.

His contractual status means he will not be an expensive option – sources in Yorkshire expect a bid of around £1.5m to be accepted at Elland Road, and Beckford’s current wages are understood to be less than £15,000-a-week and with Mike Ashley promising to make a limited transfer budget available next month, Hughton is expected to table a formal offer in the opening week of the transfer window.

Beckford’s arrival would scupper Harewood’s hopes of a return to St James’, as Hughton will only be signing one striker given a need to also reinforce his side’s defence.

To further complicate matters, Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is reluctant to allow Harewood to leave on a second loan deal, preferring instead to sell the striker permanently for a fee.

That could also bring Newcastle’s interest to an end, as Ashley is unlikely to sanction a significant outlay on a 30- year-old who would have little or no sell-on value.

Nevertheless, Harewood remains hopeful that he will be able to contribute to the Magpies’ promotion push in the second half of the season.

Saturday’s appearance was his 15th in a Newcastle shirt, and his tally of five goals represents a decent enough return given his slow start following an ankle injury.

“I’d love to come back until the end of the season or longer, and finish the job,”

said Harewood, who cost Villa £4m when he signed from West Ham in 2007. “But it’s up to the gaffer if he wants me and the two clubs to sort it out now.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, no-one has told me anything yet. Players don’t really get involved in that – you never really know until it actually happens, so I’ll just have to wait and see.

“But my time at Newcastle has been unbelievable. I’ve really enjoyed it, the fans have been great, and the lads have been terrific. I feel I’ve got better with every game.”

Hughton is known to have been impressed with Harewood’s efforts, and if a deal cannot be agreed for Beckford, the Magpies manager will make a renewed approach to Villa in an attempt to engineer a return for the Hampstead- born marksman.

Either way, Hughton is determined to ensure that any lingering uncertainty does not wreck the stability and spirit that has been engendered in the opening half of the season.

The transfer window officially opens on Friday, and Newcastle will attempt to conduct their business as quickly as possible.

“We have options, but the main thing I want to avoid is any of the situations dragging on deep into January,” said Hughton. “My biggest hope is that we can put everything to bed early.

“We’re aware of the situation, and we know we have decisions to make. We’re in the process of making those, and I’m confident it won’t be something that becomes a protracted issue.”