THOMAS GRAVESEN has opened the door for a return to the Premiership - with Newcastle United eyeing a move before the closure of the transfer window.

Magpies boss Graeme Souness recently revealed his admiration for a player of that standing and is preparing to swoop this month to bolster his midfield options.

Real Madrid had been prepared to offer the Danish midfielder as part-exchange in a deal that would have seen Albert Luque head in the opposite direction.

However, Souness' reluctance to part with Luque, after just three months at St James' Park, meant the possibility of Gravesen arriving dwindled.

But Gravesen, after making just five starts this season, has openly conceded he is prepared to move on in a bid to regain regular first team football - something that he has had to do without in recent months.

The club the 29-year-old left a year ago, Everton, and Manchester United are also known to have A strong interest in the Scandinavian but Newcastle could hold the upperhand.

The Red Devils may seem a more appealing proposition but manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had a change of transfer policy and is trying to acquire players with plenty of time on their side.

Newcastle, also keen on Charlton's Danny Murphy, are already well blessed with midfielders but injuries have severely restricted the manager's options.

The possible departure of Lee Bowyer to Charlton would free up one space and Souness, who has very little money to spend, is prepared to land the player initially on loan until the end of the campaign.

A fee may have to be paid to capture Gravesen on a temporary basis and to raise the small funds Newcastle could choose to offload young striker Michael Chopra.

Despite injuries to Luque, Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi at times this season, Chopra has only started one game this term and has become increasingly frustrated with his lack of opportunities.

Even when League Two side Mansfield arrived on Tyneside on Saturday the young striker was overlooked by Souness - a clear sign the Scot does not rate him.

The 22-year-old has had previous loan spells at Watford, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley and is keen on another move.

Chopra is out of contract in the summer and, although shy of attacking options, Souness could be ready to sell him early.

But his departure would reduce Newcastle's striker numbers to such an extent that a new face would have to be brought in.

Frenchman Nicolas Anelka's name refuses to go away, but with Fenerbahce demanding at least £7m Newcastle are not in a position to meet a price like that.

Anelka, who only left Manchester City for £5.3m a year ago, was yesterday linked with a loan switch to Everton and that sort of deal is likely to suit Newcastle too.

His reported £50,000 a week wages would prove a stumbling block to the Toffees.

Anelka said; "Perhaps I will leave Fenerbahce in the summer or even before. I would like to have the opportunity to play for a big club - that is why I gave my best with Fenerbahce."

Meanwhile, full-back Stephen Carr has revealed a determination to find top form after missing 12 games of the season.

Carr made his return to action against Mansfield after recovering from an operation to repair a hernia problem in November.

And the player, unlikely to start at Fulham on Saturday, said: "Last season I had the knee problem, then this time it has been the hernia and a muscle problem. I'm hoping that's the end of my bad luck now. Fingers crossed. Hopefully the problems are behind me now.

"I had an hour or so against Mansfield and I haven't had a lot of training but I'm heading in the right direction now. And, after ten weeks out, I hope to get my match fitness back as quickly as possible."

l Lens defender Yoann Lachor has returned to France after a brief trial at Newcastle. ''He did well in the short time he was here but we have a couple of other things to look at as well before we make any final decisions,'' said Souness

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