LEEDS United have warned Newcastle they will miss out on Jermaine Beckford unless they are in a position to table a formal bid for the transferlisted striker by the start of next week.

Leeds have turned down an offer for the 25-year-old from Sheffield United as it involved Blades striker Billy Sharp moving to Elland Road as part of the deal.

However, Leeds officials expect their Yorkshire rivals to return with a straight cash bid over the weekend, and are unwilling to wait for Newcastle to make an approach of their own.

Having spoken to prospective Magpies boss Alan Shearer at the start of the summer, Beckford would prefer to move to St James’ Park than sign for Sheffield United.

But if, as seems likely, Newcastle are not in a position to make a firm offer by the start of next week, Leeds will accept the Blades’ offer and instruct Beckford to move to Bramall Lane.

Leeds are due to travel to the Republic of Ireland next week for a pre-season training camp, and manager Simon Grayson is reluctant to take the unsettled Beckford with the rest of his squad. Therefore, he has instructed Elland Road officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

That does not bode well for Newcastle, as there is no sign of a rapid resolution to Mike Ashley’s attempts to sell the club.

Austrian firm Bwin were the latest group to be linked with the Magpies yesterday, but it is not believed that the betting group, who sponsor European giants Real Madrid and AC Milan, are currently involved in a process of due diligence.

Meanwhile, controversial midfielder Joey Barton is expected to feature in tomorrow’s opening pre-season friendly against Shamrock Rovers.

Barton, whose Magpies career would have been over had Shearer been re-appointed as manager, has spent the last five days building up his fitness at Newcastle’s Carton House training base, and with Birmingham’s interest in the 26-year-old having cooled, boss Chris Hughton will include him in his squad for tomorrow’s game.

“I plan to use all the players that are here,” said Hughton.

“But I won’t be looking to play anyone for 90 minutes.”

■ Newcastle’s trip to Sheffield United has been put back two days to allow coverage on Sky TV. The game, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, October 31, will now take place on Monday, November 2 (7.45pm).