NEWCASTLE UNITED remain hopeful of recruiting an experienced midfielder this month, despite having missed out on another of their leading transfer targets after Tom Cleverley agreed a season-long loan with Watford.

Cleverley successfully passed a medical at Watford’s training ground yesterday afternoon, having agreed the terms of a season-long loan deal from Everton.

The England international returns to Vicarage Road having previously played for the Hornets in the 2009-10 season, with Watford having agreed a clause that could see them complete a permanent transfer in the summer.

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez had identified Cleverley as one of his leading midfield targets before the transfer window opened, and Magpies officials made a number of approaches in an attempt to seal a deal.

However, Cleverley was always reluctant to drop down to the Championship, and once Premier League clubs also declared an interest, Newcastle were facing a losing battle.

Cleverley’s decision to join Watford represents the latest blow in what is becoming an increasingly difficult transfer window for Benitez.

Speaking in the wake of last weekend’s FA Cup third-round draw with Birmingham, the Magpies manager spoke of his desire to complete an incoming signing ahead of tomorrow’s Championship game with Brentford.

That has not happened, with a succession of targets proving unobtainable. Benitez’s hopes of pushing through a loan deal for Ruben Loftus-Cheek were scuppered when Chelsea boss Antonio Conte revealed the youngster would not be leaving Stamford Bridge this month, while an interest in Fulham’s Tom Cairney has also been shelved.

Benitez feels Fulham are demanding an unrealistic fee for the Scottish midfielder, although that could change if the London club alter their stance in the next couple of weeks. Aston Villa have also expressed an interest in Cairney, with Steve Bruce willing to pay £10m in an attempt to seal a deal.

Newcastle’s loan offer for Fabian Delph remains on the table, although there has been no sign of the England midfielder being interested in a move to the Championship, even though his chances of returning to the first team at the Etihad Stadium are extremely slim.

Newcastle’s need for midfield reinforcements will increase once Cheick Tiote completes his move away from Tyneside, with the 30-year-old currently locked in talks with Spanish side Sporting Gijon.

Sporting director of football Nico Rodriguez has been in England this week holding talks with Tiote’s representatives, but the financial details of a proposed transfer remain hard to conclude.

With his Newcastle contract due to expire in the summer, Tiote is hoping to reach a financial settlement that would enable him to move to La Liga as a free agent. However, Sporting’s need to adhere to their salary cap means they are not able to offer him the same terms he would be entitled to if he was to remain on Newcastle’s books until the end of June.

Sporting are willing to offer him a long-term deal that would make up for any short-term shortfalls, but Tiote is still to put pen to paper on an agreement. Having featured in last weekend’s FA Cup tie at St Andrew’s, however, he is unlikely to be involved when Newcastle visit Griffin Park tomorrow.

The Magpies sanctioned the departure of two of their players on loan deals yesterday, with Alex Gilliead joining League One Bradford City and Ivan Toney heading to another League One side in the shape of Scunthorpe United.

Gilliead has just returned from a loan spell at League Two Luton that saw him score two goals in 21 appearances, and Bradford boss Stuart McCall is hoping he will contribute to the Bantams’ ongoing promotion push.

“Alex is someone we have been monitoring since the summer,” said McCall. “We feel we need a bit more competition in the wide areas, and Alex will certainly give us that.”

Toney has also returned from a previous loan spell, having scored seven goals in 26 games for Shrewsbury in the first half of the campaign. He joins a Scunthorpe side sitting in second position in League One.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s trip to Huddersfield Town on Saturday, March 4 has been selected for live television, and will now kick off at the later time of 5.30pm.