RAFAEL BENITEZ is determined to make quick progress on the transfer front during this window and hopes Newcastle United’s move for Everton midfielder Tom Cleverley will be successful.

Benitez, who has recalled Sammy Ameobi from his loan with Bolton to bolster options this month, has been quick to move on targets and has identified Cleverley as one of his favoured players to boost the promotion push.

Newcastle have been in touch with Everton to discuss the possibility of taking the former Manchester United midfielder on loan for the rest of the season after falling out of favour under Ronald Koeman. He has made just four starts under the Dutchman, who has also offered £19m for United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.

A deal is possible, although Cleverley could wait to determine whether there is other interest from the Premier League rather than drop down into the Championship – albeit with a view to a quick return to the top-flight next season if he impresses.

The 27-year-old is not the only midfield option on the Newcastle radar. There are also claims from France that Montpellier playmaker Ryad Boudebouz, a long standing target of chief scout Graham Carr before Benitez’s arrival, is back on the radar.

While the two other Premier League based midfielders in Benitez’s thinking are Manchester City’s Fabian Delph and Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Benitez is specifically targeting that area after losing Mohamed Diame to Africa Cup of Nations duty – along with Christian Atsu – and Jonjo Shevley to suspension.

He is still looking to improve his attacking options, with Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson the number one attacking target, and he is also weighing up winger options, although Boudebouz can operate there comfortably.

The departure of Atsu to the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon has also taken away one of Benitez’s main wide-men, so is happy to have Ameobi back involved.

He has scored four goals in 24 appearances for Bolton this season and the Trotters had hoped to extend the loan until the end of the season, although a fee could also have influence the decision.

However, Benitez is keen to take a closer look at him knowing he is out of contract next summer. If Ameobi, 24, can impress on the training ground he could be thrust into action sooner than he would have expected, starting at Birmingham in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Benitez said: “We’ll bring him back and see if he is fine and can give us something. We have players going to the Africa Cup of Nations. We have to be sure we have some players. If he’s doing well why not? It depends on him if he can stay here or not. It depends how much he can give to us.”

Ameobi is not the only loan player to be back on Tyneside. Striker Ivan Toney has decided to head back to Newcastle after scoring seven times in 26 appearances during his temporary stint with Shrewsbury Town.

Shrews boss Paul Hurst said: “I think he’s had that on his mind unfortunately for a little while. I think he’ll go back and go elsewhere but you’re probably better speaking to Ivan about that. I want people that want to be here so I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.”