MIDDLESBROUGH are preparing a sensational January swoop for Newcastle contract rebel Olivier Bernard.

The French full-back is out of contract in the summer and has become locked in a bitter dispute with United officials over their offer of a renewed deal.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd is adamant that he will not improve his latest offer - believed to be a series of gradual increases over a three-year period - and boss Graeme Souness has reluctantly accepted that he may lose Bernard next month.

Left-back is the one position where Boro currently have no cover, with the right-footed Michael Reiziger having to slot in for the suspended Franck Queudrue in last Monday's win over Manchester City and Saturday's draw at Portsmouth.

Steve McClaren is aware that Bernard will be available for nothing in May but, with Everton also monitoring his situation closely, the Boro boss is set to table a £500,000 bid in January.

Newcastle's board will be reluctant to accept less than a seven-figure sum but, with Bernard able to talk to who he wants when the transfer window re-opens, Souness will not want to hold onto a player who has no desire to remain at St James' Park.

The Newcastle boss spent yesterday surveying the wreckage from Saturday's dismal 1-1 draw with Portsmouth, and is preparing a January clear-out to prevent Newcastle's stuttering season from getting any worse.

Souness is keen to sign two centre-halves when the transfer window re-opens next month after inheriting a series of defensive headaches from previous boss Sir Bobby Robson.

The Scot has been told that he does not need to sell in order to raise funds, as United are still to spend the £13.5m they raised from the sale of Jonathan Woodgate in August.

But, after watching his side fail to win any of their last five home games, Souness has finally lost patience with some of his under-performing stars.

Laurent Robert and Kieron Dyer will both be touted for sale next month, with Souness also ready to axe struggling striker Patrick Kluivert in May.

Sir Bobby Robson kept faith with Robert despite a number of run-ins during the Frenchman's three-and-a-half-year stay at St James' Park.

But Souness has taken just three months to decide that the 29-year-old has no part to play in his future plans.

After publicly questioning Robert's work-rate and desire at the weekend, the United boss is desperate to wash his hands of the inconsistent winger.

Former club Paris St Germain made tentative inquiries about Robert's availability last season, and would love to offer the midfielder an emotional return to France.

Robert's wage demands could prove a stumbling block, and Newcastle's board will be reluctant to write off too much of the £10m they stumped up to sign the Reunion Islander in 2001.

But, with Souness keen to end the persistent debate over his treatment of the player, PSG could be offered the option of a loan deal to the end of the season with the possibility of a permanent deal after that.

Dyer is in a similarly precarious position, despite Souness' insistence that the former Ipswich midfielder is one of his side's potential match-winners.

The England international was roundly criticised after refusing to play on the right of midfield on the opening day of the season, and has struggled to win round the St James' Park crowd since.

He was touted round the Premiership in the summer - to little effect - but, with Newcastle's midfield continuing to misfire, the club are again willing to listen to offers.

l Souness has been banned from the touchline for one game and fined £10,000 following last month's furious tirade at referee Howard Webb.

The United boss will have to watch from the stands when his side take on struggling West Brom at the Hawthorns on January 3.

Souness was incensed by Webb's decision not to award a penalty when Alan Shearer appeared to be fouled by Fulham's Papa Bouba Diop during his side's 4-1 home defeat.