Toon in for Junior Hoilett

Newcastle are said to be interested in securing the services of Blackburn's Junior Hoilett over the coming months, if reports in the press today are to be believed.

The 21-year-old is stalling on signing a new deal at Blackburn insists The Sun, which has alerted clubs like Newcastle and Tottenham who will no doubt have one eye on trying to snap up one of the Premier Leagues younger talents for a knockdown price in January or perhaps even on a free transfer next summer.

Now it may only be in The Sun, but it's not the first time Hoilett has been linked with a switch to St James' Park and, to be honest, it sounds about right that we'd be sniffing around a player who has an expiring contract. The Canadian born utility forward has been linked with a move away from Ewood Park for some time now, and it's our name that keeps cropping up as a final destination for Hoilett.

Junior - real name David - is eligible to represent England, Canada or Jamaica at international level although at the moment he is free to pick and choose as he hasn't made a senior appearance for any of them. He has expressed a desire to play for Canada although according to the ever reliable Wikipedia his Father has discouraged this and believes he should play for Jamaica as the marketing endorsements are better.

Hoilett has been at Blackburn since 2007 but it wasn't until 2009 that he made his breakthrough into the team. Previous to that he'd spent time on loan in Germany playing in the 2. Bundesliga with SC Paderborn (12 appearances, 1 goal) and St Pauli (21 appearances, 6 goals) before returning to England to play for his parent club, Blackburn.

I'm quite pleased that he has played for St Pauli. I have a soft spot for them as their fans are a group of, well, nutters basically. Any group who can make a football chant out of a KC and the Sunshine Band song deserves the utmost respect. Have a listen.

Anyway, Hoilett returned to Blackburn where he has started to carve out a career as a Premier League footballer. The lad can play up front or out wide and has searing pace which he can combine with a trick or two while also possessing a thunderous shot. Witness his goal at St James' Park a few weeks back for evidence of that.

Hoilett has made 53 appearances and has bagged 6 goals during his time at Ewood Park, but perhaps he is starting to think that his future may lay elsewhere?

Personally I don't think we have any chance of getting him as I think he is destined for a club in and around the top four and, like it or not, we aren't at that level.

He does fit the blueprint that the club have at the moment however. He is young, talented and, most importantly, has a quirk in his contract (ie, expiration) that will mean he is available for less than what it would cost under normal circumstances.

Sounds good, yes?