NOTTINGHAM FOREST have made a late approach for Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, and are determined to push through a deal ahead of Tuesday night’s transfer deadline.

Forest officials have held talks over Shelvey with the Newcastle hierarchy in the last 24 hours, and are keen to sign the 30-year-old on a permanent basis in the next couple of days.

If the deal goes through, Shelvey will be Forest’s 25th addition since they were promoted to the Premier League in May.

Shelvey’s Newcastle future has been the subject of considerable debate in the last couple of months, with his complicated contractual situation leaving the Magpies with a decision to make.

Shelvey’s current contract is due to expire in the summer, but if he makes two more senior starts, he will trigger a clause that will automatically extend his deal by another year.

The midfielder has been struggling with a calf injury in the last few weeks, and has not featured in Newcastle’s first team since coming off the bench in December’s Carabao Cup fourth-round win over Southampton.

His only Premier League involvement this season has come via three substitute appearances, with his only start this term having come in the League Cup triumph over Crystal Palace.

Shelvey joined Newcastle from Swansea City in a £12 move in January 2016, and has made more than 200 senior appearances for the club, scoring 18 goals.