FLORIAN THAUVIN is set to return to Newcastle in the summer, with Marseille ready to rule out re-signing the winger on a permanent basis.

Thauvin, who joined Newcastle in a £13.5m deal last August, returned to Marseille in January after a hugely disappointing first five months as a Newcastle player.

It was hoped the 23-year-old would be able to resurrect his career in his homeland, but instead his form has continued to nosedive as Marseille have plunged towards the Ligue 1 drop zone.

Last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Bastia left Marseille just six points clear of the relegation places, with Thauvin having contributed little since returning to France.

While Marseille are committed to signing Remy Cabella on a permanent basis because of a clause in the midfielder’s loan deal, there is no such agreement relating to Thauvin and sources in France claim there is no chance of the winger securing a permanent switch to his current temporary employers.

“I don’t know what to say,” said Thauvin, when asked about his own poor form at the weekend. “I feel very tired. There are times where you have to recognise that you’re fed up. I need to take a step back.”

Meanwhile, Rob Elliot underwent knee surgery yesterday, with Newcastle officials confident the goalkeeper will be fit to return in the first half of next season.

Elliot had an operation to repair the damage to his anterior cruciate ligaments that was sustained during the Republic of Ireland’s recent friendly with Slovakia.

The 29-year-old is set to be sidelined for around six months, ruling him out of the end of the current campaign and this summer’s European Championships.

He will play no part in Newcastle’s pre-season programme, but should be fit to return to first-team action in around October provided there are no unforeseen setbacks following surgery.

It remains to be seen what league the Magpies are playing in when he returns, but given his performances over the last six months, he is likely to be a key member of the squad when he comes back into the fold.

Tim Krul suffered his own cruciate ligament injury last October, and given that he will enter the final year of his contract this summer, there is very little chance of the Dutchman remaining on Tyneside if Newcastle are relegated next month. Even if the Magpies remain in the top-flight, there is a good chance of Krul moving elsewhere.

Karl Darlow deputised for Elliot at the weekend, and is set to retain his place for the final seven games of the season, and with Freddie Woodman also making rapid progress, Newcastle’s goalkeeping options are stronger than in any other area of the field.

Woodman helped England Under-19s qualify for the European Championships last month, and will be keen to increase his involvement with Newcastle’s senior squad next season.