NEWCASTLE UNITED have targeted former Valencia assistant Ian Cathro as they look to make some much-needed progress on the assembly of their new backroom team.

Having been rebuffed by both Steve Round and Bolo Zenden, the Magpies are running out of time as they attempt to ensure their new coaching line-up is in position ahead of the start of pre-season training.

Motivational and fitness expert Steve Black, who worked with Newcastle during the Kevin Keegan era, is on the verge of returning to the club, having been personally recommended by new head coach Steve McClaren.

McClaren worked with Black during a brief spell on the coaching staff at QPR, and sees the North-Easterner performing the same role that Bill Beswick carried out during his time with Middlesbrough.

Paul Simpson is also being lined up for a coaching post, but it is the increased interest in Cathro that is most intriguing, with the Scotsman being considered for a senior position as McClaren’s number two.

Cathro, who is only 28, had a brief playing career in the Scottish lower leagues with Forfar Athletic and Brechin City, and became the head of Dundee United’s youth academy at the age of just 22.

He was highly regarded in Scottish youth football circles, developing the likes of Ryan Gauld, who went on to join Sporting Lisbon, and was headhunted to become the assistant manager of Portuguese side Rio Ave in 2012.

He followed the Rio Ave boss, Nuno, to Spanish side Valencia last summer, but recently stood down from his position after spending 12 months as the number two at the La Liga club.

McClaren is understood to have recommended him personally as he attempts to speed up the process of assembling his backroom team. The former England and Middlesbrough boss predicted a series of swift appointments when he was officially unveiled two weeks ago, but Newcastle are still to add anyone to their coaching set-up.

The Magpies are also hoping to make some transfer headway, with Schalke’s Joel Matip having emerged as one of the club’s leading defensive targets.

Matip, a 23-year-old centre-half, is rated at around £10m by Schalke officials, but given that he only has one year of his current contract remaining, Newcastle’s recruitment team are hoping to complete a deal for closer to £7m.

The Magpies, who are also monitoring Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar, are determined to sign a new centre-half this summer, having allowed a number of defenders to leave during the January transfer window.

They are also pursuing a number of attacking options, and their hopes of signing QPR’s Charlie Austin increased slightly yesterday when Southampton ruled out a move for the England international.

However, West Ham United are still interested in the striker, who would prefer to remain in London rather than move to the North-East.