NEWCASTLE United are eyeing a 'Monster' deal for Everton misfit Richard Dunne.

Magpies No 2 Mick Wadsworth checked on Dunne - nicknamed 'The Honey Monster' because of his bulky frame - in the Republic of Ireland's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Estonia.

Dunne grabbed one of the goals in Wednesday's Dublin clash and United believe the 21-year-old could solve their central defensive problems.

But if they decide to follow up their interest, they will face competition from Premiership rivals Manchester City and Charlton.

Transfer-listed Dunne, rated at £3m, has lost his place at Goodison Park and Republic boss Mick McCarthy admitted: "That amazes me. He's been outstanding for us and I've told him that if he gets the chance of a move, he should take it.''

l Everton won the right to bring Israeli winger Idan Tal into the Premiership when his work permit was finally granted yesterday.

Tal and Hearts defender Gary Naysmith will both be Everton players by the start of next week.

The deals will bring the total of players bought and sold by manager Walter Smith during his 28-month reign at Goodison to 59.

And they will send Smith's spending through the £50m mark - a considerable amount for a club who have been handicapped by financial crises throughout almost all of Smith's reign.

If Dunne leaves for £3m it will mean Smith has been forced to rake in £42.65m in that time to get some way close to balancing the books.

Tal's arrival will end a six-month chase for the Maccabi Petah Tikva player, who had his first application for a work permit rejected by the Department of Employment.

But when Tal played for his country this week against Bosnia and Spain, he finally reached the magic mark of playing in 75 per cent of competitive internationals in the previous two years.

That £700,000 deal has already been agreed, while Naysmith, who had his medical in Liverpool yesterday and has agreed personal terms, will join for £1.75m. Those sums mean Dunne must be sacrificed.

He could have gone to Wimbledon last month, but twice the deal collapsed.

The arrival of Naysmith, who was snatched by Smith from under Gordon Strachan's nose when it was believed the 21-year-old was heading to Coventry, will help alleviate Everton's injury crisis.