NEWCASTLE United signed two goalkeepers this summer but they'll be looking to bring in another next year.

That features in this week's North East Notes - as does news of a potential new overseas link-up for Middlesbrough.

Where Sunderland are concerned, Alexandre Mendy now looks to have put his summer Black Cats saga behind him and a Wearside youngster enjoyed a winning start after leaving on loan late this week.

NEWCASTLE IDENTIFY EARLY TRANSFER PRIORITY

Newcastle United have five senior keepers on their books - but strengthening between the posts is still going to be a transfer priority for the Magpies next summer.

Martin Dubravka, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie are all due to be out of contract next summer, while Odysseas Vlachodimos hasn't had any involvement whatsoever since his summer arrival from Nottingham Forest and clearly doesn't feature in Eddie Howe's plans as things stand.

Newcastle were keen on signing a keeper in the summer but were restricted by PSR early in the window and were focused on strengthening at centre-half and the capture of Marc Guehi in the final weeks.

But signing a keeper and adding long-time competition for Nick Pope remains a priority moving forward, with Burnley's James Trafford - a target in the summer - one of those set to be monitored throughout the campaign.

BORO'S POTENTIAL BRAZIL LINK-UP

Juninho was back on Teesside recently for a special meet-up with some fans - and took the opportunity to talk business with Boro.

The club legend is in the process of getting involved with a Brazilian club playing at "a high level" and spoke to Boro officials about the prospect of a link-up during recent visit to Rockliffe

Boro recently added a Brazilian to their ranks with the capture of Neto Borges from Clermont and the scouting team are always open to the prospect of monitoring different overseas markets.

"Juninho has been over recently and sat in my office and he's invited me and Chris (Jones, head of recruitment) out there," said head of football Kieran Scott on BBC Tees this week.

"He's involved in a club at a high level now, he's going to be taking over I believe, he's invited us to go out for that exact reason to try and form a link and work with him."

SUNDERLAND KEEPER OFF TO WINNING START

Sunderland youngster Adam Richardson got off to a winning start yesterday, just hours after the keeper left the Black Cats on loan.

The 21-year-old linked up with Hebburn Town on Friday night, with the Northern League Premier Northern Division outfit making the move after their 6-2 defeat at Whitby in midweek. And he played the full 90 minutes as Hebburn bounced back with a win over Lancaster.

"Adam is a very highly rated goalkeeper at Sunderland and has been close to an EFL loan move in recent weeks," said manager Daniel Moore.

“The opportunity to get him on board has come at the perfect time for us."

The initial loan is due to last a month, which will mean Richardson will come up against Robbie Savage's league leaders Macclesfield in the middle of October.

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MENDY PUTS SUMMER SAGA BEHIND HIM AFTER EX-SUNDERLAND PLAYER BLAST

Sunderland summer target Alexandre Mendy tasted victory for the first time since his return to the first team fold at Caen on Friday night - and it came on the back of a blast from former Black Cats midfielder Yann M’Vila.

The 34-year-old joined Caen last month and didn't hold back after last week's 3-1 defeat to Grenoble.

“We can only blame ourselves for this defeat," said M'Vila, who spent the second half of last season at West Brom.

“We can’t say it’s the supporters, the sale of the club, the transfer window is over. That’s it, everyone is focused on the club, we have no excuses. We have to get our heads back in place."

It seems they did, with Caen bouncing back with a 1-0 win over Ajaccio on Friday night.

Mendy has now been reintegrated into the Caen squad after his public summer pleas to join Sunderland, to the delight of head coach Nicolas Seube.

He said: “I’m happy that management succeeded. When we keep such an offensive weapon, the coach that I am is obviously delighted.

“When we keep the strong elements of the team, it reassures everyone."