NEWCASTLE officials are confident of making Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker their first signing of the summer later this week.

But, while Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool are on the verge of dropping out of the race for the England international, the Magpies could yet face competition from Spurs.

Chelsea have reluctantly agreed to sell Parker, who has made just 28 appearances for the Blues since making a £10m move from Charlton last January.

Both Newcastle and Everton are understood to have agreed a £6m fee for the 24-year-old but, despite qualifying for the Champions League, the latter are refusing to meet his £55,000-a-week wage demands.

Newcastle are hopeful of thrashing out a compromise, especially as Parker's signature would enable them to off-load either Lee Bowyer or Nicky Butt.

Liverpool's interest in the midfielder was shelved as soon as Steven Gerrard hinted he would sign a new deal and, with Everton also wavering, Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd had hoped to tie up a deal in the next few days.

That could still happen, but the Magpies are unlikely to have things all their own way after sources in London suggested Tottenham could make a late attempt to prise Parker to White Hart Lane.

Spurs boss Martin Jol has discussed the midfielder's position with Chelsea twice during the last 12 months and is keen to add him to his list of young English stars.

Parker's wage demands have previously offered an insurmountable obstacle to any deal, but last weekend's dispute between the two clubs could eventually lead to a compromise agreement.

Tottenham's board members are currently discussing whether to lodge a formal complaint about Chelsea's alleged 'tapping up' of their sporting director Frank Arnesen, or accept compensation for his release.

Should they choose the latter course of action, Parker could be part of any compensation package, thus scuppering Newcastle's hopes of luring him to Tyneside.

Spurs officials are expected to meet their Chelsea counterparts later this week, making Freddy Shepherd's attempts to tie up a deal for Parker by the end of the week all the more urgent.

Meanwhile, Magpies manager Graeme Souness will not defend himself in person as he fights an FA charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

Souness yesterday denied a breach of FA rules during his post-match comments on the performance of referee Barry Knight following his side's 2-0 defeat at Everton on May 7.

However, the Scot has not requested a personal hearing and will leave an FA disciplinary commission to decide his fate over the next few weeks.

* John Carver has left his position on Newcastle's coaching staff. Carver, who was Sir Bobby Robson's number two and took sole charge of the Magpies during last season's 3-0 win over Blackburn, is keen to find a way back into first-team management.

The native North-Easterner has been linked with the vacant managerial position at Hartlepool.

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