EUROPEAN champions Porto are ready to end Hugo Viana's Newcastle misery by offering the out of favour midfielder a return to his native Portugal.

Portuguese sources have confirmed that Porto president Pinto da Costa has held preliminary discussions with Viana's agent Jorge Mendes, with more talks scheduled for this Thursday.

Viana is currently in Portugal for compassionate reasons while the rest of the Newcastle squad prepare to take on a Thailand XI in Bangkok later today.

The 21-year-old has endured a miserable two years on Tyneside since making a £8.5m move from Sporting Lisbon in June 2002.

The midfielder was unable to command a regular first-team spot last term, culminating in his exclusion from the Portugal squad for the recent European Championships.

He asked to be allowed to return to Portugal on loan last spring but, with the likes of Jermaine Jenas, Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer picking up a succession of injuries, Sir Bobby Robson insisted that he remained on Tyneside as cover.

The Newcastle boss is understood to have shifted his position since then, with the signing of James Milner and the impending arrival of Nicky Butt having pushed Viana even further down the pecking order.

Porto are understood to be seeking an initial one-year loan deal, with the option of a permanent transfer next summer, and Newcastle are likely to cut their losses and sanction the deal.

Meanwhile, Newcastle will kick-off their pre-season campaign in Bangkok's Ranjamangala Stadium this evening (kick-off noon GMT) with Aaron Hughes hoping to persuade Robson to call off his much-heralded search for a new right back.

The Newcastle boss has been on the trail of a host of defenders this summer with Stephen Carr, Danny Mills, Mario Melchiot, Miguel and Hatem Trabelsi all linked with a move to St James' Park at some stage.

Hughes could be forgiven for feeling unwanted, despite making 47 appearances for the Magpies last season.

But, instead, the Northern Ireland skipper is relishing the added challenge that any new signing would bring.

"I don't know if anyone new is coming in," said Hughes, who could yet be asked to partner Jonathan Woodgate at the heart of defence next season. "Only time will tell.

"As a player, it's just a case of getting on with things and waiting to see what happens.

"But when you play for a club as big as Newcastle United there is always going to be competition for places. That's exactly how it should be."

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