NEWCASTLE UNITED have received some encouraging news in their search for a new defender after Jean-Alain Boumsong refused to a rule out a move to Tyneside.

Magpies boss Graeme Souness has been desperate for the January transfer window to come round so the club can do their utmost to add some much-need quality to their defensive ranks.

Rangers star Boumsong has been high on Newcastle's list of targets since Jonathan Woodgate was sold to Real Madrid in August and the player has claimed he could move on.

But the French international has started to enjoy life in the Scottish Premier League in recent months and he may be unwilling to come south of the border so early in his Ibrox career.

Boumsong, 25 yesterday, signed a five-year deal in the summer but Newcastle remain hopeful of persuading him to move.

Rangers are understood to be looking for a fee of around £6m but Newcastle may have to wait until the summer.

Boumsong said: "If a club like Newcastle has an interest in me I cannot say they are wasting their time. What I can say is that I am a Rangers player and I am focusing on my duty here. That duty is to do my best for my club and I don't want to be disturbed by the speculation.

"Of course I am very proud to attract interest from other clubs and I think it is very good for Rangers as well. If something happens, it happens. I cannot even say I will be here on Friday because you never know."

Clubs casting an admiring eye towards Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given have been warned to keep their hands off by chairman Freddy Shepherd.

Both Manchester United and Arsenal are believed to be considering their options ahead of the opening of the transfer window on January 1, having had problems with keepers this season.

Both United's Tim Howard and the Gunners' Jens Lehmann have been axed from first team duty after high-profile howlers that have cost their side dear.

Middlesbrough's Mark Schwarzer is also on both Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger's list of possible replacements, particularly as the Australian has yet to sign a new contract.

Unlike Schwarzer, who would be available for free in the summer, Given is tied to the club and would command a large fee from any potential buyer.

The Irishman has built a massive reputation as one of the best keepers in the Premiership, if not the best, but he has yet to claim silverware at St James' Park since arriving from Blackburn in 1997.

Shepherd insists Given, let down by the defence around him in recent seasons, is going nowhere.

"There is absolutely no chance of Shay Given leaving St James' Park and nobody has contacted us about him. He's not for sale and that's the end of the story," he said.

Shepherd's stance over Given follows his insistence that Newcastle have offered a new contract to full-back Olivier Bernard.

Bernard, attracting interest from Middlesbrough and Everton, is demanding the club come back with an improved offer. Otherwise the Frenchman, a schoolboy teammate of Boro's Franck Queudrue, could leave as early as January.

With much talk surrounding players leaving, Newcastle have taken Portuguese under-18 international striker Cicero on trial.

He plays for Braga in his home land and is spending time on Tyneside and there is an option of a deal in the New Year.

Meanwhile, Shepherd has tightened his hold on Newcastle by buying a further 1.1m shares in a deal worth more than £431,000.

The chairman's stake now stands at 25.4 per cent and takes him a step closer to the amount that would entitle him to make a bid for the company - 30 per cent.

* The FA have confirmed that Newcastle's FA Cup third round match with Yeading on January 9 at Loftus Road will kick-off at 1.45 and will be shown live on BBC.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.