CHEICK TIOTE should complete a move to Shandong Luneng within the next 24 hours after successfully completing a medical with the Chinese Super League side.

With the Chinese transfer window still open, Tiote travelled to Shanghai at the end of last week after agreeing personal terms with Luneng officials.

The 30-year-old was due to become a free agent in the summer, with Rafael Benitez having deemed him surplus to requirements on Tyneside.

He has made just three senior appearances for Newcastle this season, with his most recent outing having come in last month’s FA Cup third-round replay win over Birmingham City.

He leaves Tyneside having made 143 first-team starts in a seven-year Magpies career that will be best remembered for a dramatic last-minute equaliser in a 4-4 draw with Arsenal.

He will be reunited with former Newcastle team-mate Papiss Cisse at Shanghai Luneng, and will also find himself playing with ex-Southampton striker Graziano Pelle.

While Tiote is on his way out of St James’ Park, Benitez will be able to welcome Christian Atsu back into the fold ahead of Saturday’s teatime kick-off at Wolves.

Atsu helped Ghana reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, where they lost out to eventual winners Cameroon.

He was in fine form in Gabon, with his performances earning him a place in the Confederation of African Football’s ‘Team of the Tournament’.

His return will be a welcome one given Newcastle’s failure to sign a wide player during the January transfer window, with Atsu expected to challenge Yoan Gouffran for a place in the starting line-up in the final three months of the season.

The Chelsea loanee had made 16 Championship appearances prior to leaving for the Cup of Nations, and is likely to go straight back into the squad for this weekend’s trip to Molineux.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are set to offer a trial to Arsenal youth-team defender Kristopher da Graca as Benitez looks to add to his development squad.

Da Graca has been told he will not be offered a new deal at the Emirates, and Newcastle’s scouting team have identified him as a potentially useful addition to the Magpies’ ranks.

The 19-year-old Swede joined Arsenal from Hisingsbacka at the age of 16, and has made seven appearances in the Premier League Under-23 league as well as a further six starts in the Youth Champions League.

A right-footed centre-half, who is eligible to play for both Sweden and Bosnia, he was the subject of interest from Paris St Germain before opting to join Arsenal.

* Newcastle will face Tottenham in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup at St James’ Park on Monday, February 27.