The transfer window reopens at the turn of the year, and the North-East’s three biggest sides are all likely to be active participants in the market. What will their priorities be? And who might be moving into and out of the region?

MIDDLESBROUGH

THE Riverside will be like a footballing version of Ebay in January, with Tony Mowbray desperately trying to palm off the unwanted presents he was bequeathed by his predecessor, Gordon Strachan.

With Boro’s finances in a parlous state, the number one priority will be to move on some of the club’s highest earners in order to reduce a wage bill that remains as high as any in the Championship.

David Wheater will definitely leave, although his contractual status means his price tag is unlikely to reach the £2m mark. Aston Villa, Wolves and Newcastle are all interested.

Gary O’Neil will also be on his way – if a permanent deal cannot be struck, Boro will allow the midfielder to leave on loan – while Kris Boyd will be touted to all and sundry.

In fact, it is easier to list who will not be for sale next month. Goalkeeper Jason Steele and skipper Matthew Bates – and even that would depend on the level of any offers.

Provided Mowbray manages to sell two or three high-profile players, he will be able to set about assembling the foundations of his own team.

Attack is understandably a priority, with Newcastle’s Leon Best having been mentioned as a possible target.

Despite last week’s attempts to play down the likelihood of a short-term deal, it would also be a surprise if Jeremie Aliadiere was not offered a contract to the end of the season.

Mowbray’s other key area of concern is the wide positions, and ideally, the Boro boss would like to sign a left and right-winger next month.

Beyond that, the extent of his rebuilding will be dictated by money. The Teessiders will be the busiest of the region’s clubs in January, but will they have the funds to be busy enough?

NEWCASTLE UNITED

HAD Chris Hughton still been in charge, there is every chance Newcastle would not have done any transfer business next month. As it is, the arrival of Alan Pardew should see a slight loosening of the purse strings at St James’ Park.

The new Magpies manager discussed a January budget when he was appointed, and has identified a couple of key areas he would like to strengthen.

Left-back is a major worry, as Jose Enrique remains the only senior player in that position on the club’s books. An experienced defender who could also move across to centre-half would be ideal.

Centre-forward is the other area of weakness, with Pardew concerned at the lack of depth behind talisman Andy Carroll.

Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands could both be on their way in order to swell the kitty, but the quality of transfer target will depend on the level of financial support provided by Mike Ashley.

If he’s willing to go up to £5m or £6m, the likes of Robbie Keane and Roque Santa Cruz could be available. If, as seems more likely, Ashley won’t go that high, loans might be Pardew’s best option until the summer.

The Newcastle manager’s other key priority will be to keep his biggest names in the North-East.

Carroll’s future is sure to be debated in the next six weeks, but having only appointed Pardew at the start of the month, surely even Ashley would not sell the striker against his manager’s wishes?

Whether the same is true of the likes of Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan and Steven Taylor, however, remains to be seen.

Taylor’s future will be determined by the outcome of this month’s contract talks. If no new deal is signed, the centre-half will be sold before he becomes a free agent.

Barton and Nolan have been linked with a number of Premier League suitors in the last couple of weeks, but Pardew will do all he can to hold on to them. Given that neither player wants to leave, he should succeed.

SUNDERLAND

WHEN it comes to Sunderland, it will be a case of minor tinkering rather than radical upheaval.

Steve Bruce has made major changes in previous windows, but with his side ensconced in the top half of the table, there is no need to upset the apple cart this time around.

If money was no object, a couple of top-end purchases could turn the Black Cats into strong European contenders. As it is, Ellis Short is likely to conclude this is not the time to be too profligate.

Bruce will attempt to push through a loan deal for Manchester City winger Adam Johnson – a transfer that is fraught with potential problems – and will also check on the availability of Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia.

The Latics are likely to demand around £9m for the Frenchman, meaning a deal is unlikely. Six months down the line, with N’Zogbia about to enter the final year of his DW Stadium deal, the price will surely have dropped.

Initially, Bruce’s focus next month is likely to fall on pushing through departures.

Andy Reid and Nyron Nosworthy, both on loan at Sheffield United, will be sold if their wages can be met, while Sunderland’s South American contingent could have reduced significantly by the time the window closes.

In particular, Paulo Da Silva and Marcos Angeleri will be offered on season-long loan deals if interest from Spain falls short of a permanent move.

Anton Ferdinand’s future remains something of a riddle, despite his strong performances in the last few weeks, and Bruce will no doubt be monitoring a whole host of potential deals.

Most will not happen, but the Sunderland boss has wheeled and dealed effectively in the past, and a couple of last-minute surprises cannot be ruled out.