WIGAN boss Steve Bruce will attempt to snatch Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt when the transfer window reopens at the start of next month.

Butt is one of seven senior players who will be out of contract next summer, and with Magpies owner Mike Ashley still hoping to sell the club, talks over a new deal have been shelved.

That has alerted a number of Newcastle’s Premier League rivals, and Bruce is ready to table a £750,000 offer for the veteran midfielder.

Butt is free to sign a precontract agreement with the Latics in January, a move that would enable him to make a free transfer to the JJB Stadium in June.

But Bruce is willing to put cash on the table in an attempt to secure his services for the second half of the current campaign, and Ashley may decide to cash in given that Butt will turn 34 in the middle of next month.

Confirmation of Wigan’s interest will come as a serious blow to Joe Kinnear, who can ill afford to lose one of his few experienced midfielders.

With discussions over Michael Owen’s future having dominated the news agenda at St James’ Park over recent weeks, Butt’s position has been somewhat overlooked, along with that of fitagain striker Mark Viduka and second-choice goalkeeper Steve Harper.

Kinnear is extremely reluctant to sell Owen next month, but Butt’s future is arguably more important given Newcastle’s chronic lack of options in central midfield With Butt nursing a hamstring injury, the Magpies ended with Jonas Gutierrez and Geremi in a central position during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Stoke, with fullback Habib Beye having to slot in on the right of midfield.

The situation is unlikely to improve imminently – Joey Barton is not expected to return from a knee ligament injury until mid-January at the earliest.

Butt has no great desire to leave Tyneside but, tellingly, retained a permanent base in the North-West when he left Manchester United and is currently living in rented accommodation.

The option of a return to his roots would appeal, and Wigan would be prepared to offer a two-year contract despite his advancing years.

The bad news keeps on coming for Kinnear at the moment, and having been charged with using abusive and insulting words towards a match official by the Football Association yesterday, the volatile Newcastle boss has vowed to clear his name.

Kinnear, who also has an improper conduct charge hanging over his head after comments made in the wake of last month’s defeat at Fulham, was sent to the stands during the latter stages of Saturday’s draw with Stoke.

He maintains his innocence, though, and claims he has become a victim of his own reputation.

“I’m going to defend myself against any charge because on this occasion I have done nothing wrong,” said Kinnear.

“I’m determined to clear my name.

“I still haven’t been told exactly why I was sent from the dug-out, but I believe it was for supposedly saying something to the linesman. I don’t know because I have not been told by the referee. I will fight this because I’m frustrated and disappointed.”

Meanwhile, Kinnear has revealed he turned down offers of a loan move for Andy Carroll and David Edgar ahead of the deadline for emergency Football League loan moves.

The pair were both offered a move to the Championship, but Kinnear opted to keep them at St James’ Park.

“Clubs inquired about both of them on loan, but, basically, I wasn’t in a position to do that,” said Kinnear. “I explained to both of the lads that it would be a risk if we picked up any more injuries.

“Obviously, both of them would dearly love to be playing, and they’re a bit frustrated.

Nevertheless, they’re aware they’re needed on the bench, and there is a possibility they may be called upon.

At the moment, I’m not in a position to let anybody go.”

■ Newcastle’s game at Bolton has been switched for live television coverage. The Magpies will now travel to the Reebok Stadium on Sunday, March 1 (ko 1pm).