WAYNE Routledge will make his Newcastle United debut against Crystal Palace this evening, and having signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the club yesterday, the winger insists it was easy to turn down Middlesbrough in order to join the Magpies.

Routledge has joined Newcastle from QPR for an undisclosed fee, which is understood to be around £1m, after rejecting an opportunity to move to Teesside yesterday.

The 25-year-old had been expected to meet Boro boss Gordon Strachan to discuss a move to the Riverside. But he headed further north to agree personal terms and undergo a medical at Newcastle’s Benton training ground.

Routledge became the Magpies’ second January signing and Portsmouth defender Mike Williamson will become the third when he finally completes a protracted move from Fratton Park this morning.

The pair are both expected to be involved against Palace this evening, and while Routledge had looked certain to be making his Middlesbrough debut this weekend, he insists there was no competition once Newcastle made their interest known.

“Newcastle came in really, really late and I had spoken to other clubs and thought I was going there,” said Routledge.

“No offence to them, but as soon as I knew Newcastle were coming in for me, my mind was made up. I was excited the minute I heard their name mentioned and that sort of reaction convinces you that the move is right.

“I know Chris (Hughton) from his time at Tottenham and have a lot of respect for him. He’s a great guy to work with and you can tell from talking to the other players that he’s a good manager.”

Routledge has played for four permanent employers and three loan clubs during his nine-year career, but after failing to make an impression in a brief 12-month stint at Loftus Road, the wideman claims he is ready to put down some roots in the North-East.

“I know I have had a lot of clubs, but it’s not like I have not been trying to settle over the last few years,” he said.

“I thought QPR was going to be the answer and I would be staying there for a while. I signed for them and thought that would be it, but things happened that were out of my control. I wanted stability but there is only so much you can do about it.

“I’m excited and this is the perfect place to put down roots. I’d have been mad to turn it down. I’ve signed for three-and-a-half years and I intend to see that out and be a Premier League player with Newcastle by the start of next season.”

Yesterday’s events represent a significant coup for Newcastle boss Hughton, who persuaded Mike Ashley to move quickly in order to gazump Middlesbrough, who had already held preliminary talks with Routledge’s representatives.

The Magpies manager remains hopeful of completing at least two more signings this month, and Williamson is expected to become a Newcastle player in time to be included in tonight’s squad.

The centre-half is expected to join initially on an emergency loan deal, and that will enable his registration to be rushed through in time.

Newcastle officials had hoped to conclude a deal yesterday evening, but the complexity of his current contract at Portsmouth meant further talks were scheduled for this morning. However, there are not anticipated to be any further problems.

He might not be the only defender arriving before the transfer window closes on Monday, as Hughton is also poised to make a formal approach for Stoke centre-half Ibrahima Sonko, who has spent the first half of the season on loan at Hull.

Hughton is also hoping to sign a striker, and Everton youngster James Vaughan has emerged as a viable loan target. Vaughan, who spent a month on loan at Derby last autumn, boasts nine senior goals for the Toffees.

The most immediate priority, however, is tonight’s home game with a Palace side that plummeted to within four points of the relegation zone when they entered administration yesterday afternoon.

Newcastle will field a makeshift defence this evening, with Steven Taylor and Danny Simpson ruled out through injury, and Ryan Taylor suspended following his dismissal at the weekend.

Tamas Kadar is set to retain his place at centre-half, with Jonas Gutierrez expected to line up at right-back, the position he fills for the Argentinian national team.

NEWCASTLE (probable, 4-4-2): Harper; Gutierrez, Coloccini, Kadar, Enrique; Routledge, Smith, Nolan, Guthrie; Carroll, Lovenkrands.

■ Newcastle’s game at Swansea on Saturday, February 13 has been brought forward to 12.45pm and will be shown live on Sky.