NEWCASTLE UNITED’S attempts to bring Andros Townsend back to Tyneside will go right down to the wire.

Magpies boss Rafael Benitez – who is also keen to sign a midfielder - is understood to be still hopeful a deal can be concluded for the England winger before tonight's 11pm deadline.

The fact that Townsend was only sold to Crystal Palace last summer means it should be easier for him to complete the formalities if the two clubs can finally reach an agreement because they still hold his medical records.

The 25-year-old is keen to move back to Newcastle, a club he found difficult to leave, and Benitez is just waiting for the decision makers at St James’ and Selhurst Park to broker an agreement.

The Eagles are happy for him to go permanently but want £13m, while Newcastle’s money-men would prefer it to be an initial loan with an obligation to buy after promotion back to the Premier League.

Such an agreement would cost Newcastle a further £2m for the remaining five months of the season and that is why there is a stand-off; with the Championship outfit reluctant to lose money on a player they sold for £13m six months ago.