NEWCASTLE are set to lose two of their fringe players with Birmingham poised to table an offer for Danny Guthrie and Wayne Routledge expected to complete a move to QPR despite reports suggesting the London club have dropped their interest in the winger.

Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Loftus Road, Routledge had been expected to complete a permanent return to QPR as soon as the London club won the Championship title.

That did not happen, and reports emanating from London yesterday suggested Rangers boss Neil Warnock had ended his pursuit of the 26-year-old.

The Northern Echo understands that is not the case, with a deal between QPR and Routledge’s representatives all but agreed.

However, the move is being held up by the terms of the winger’s departure from St James’ Park, with a dispute over a potential pay off complicating matters.

Provided the current impasse is resolved, Routledge is still expected to be a QPR player before the Newcastle squad report for the start of pre-season training on July 4.

Whether Guthrie is still on the Magpies’ books at that stage remains to be seen, but new Birmingham boss Chris Hughton is keen to sign the 24-year-old, having worked with him closely during his time on Tyneside.

Guthrie played a major role in Newcastle’s Championship title win two season ago, starting 36 of the club’s 46 league games.

However, he made only 11 Premier League starts last term, with Alan Pardew preferring to look elsewhere for the heart of his midfield.

The arrival of Yohan Cabaye and Sylvain Marveaux has pushed him even further down the pecking order, and the Magpies will be keen to move him off the wage bill this summer.

They will, however, demand a fee of around £3m before they allow him to move to St Andrew’s, having spent £2.5m to sign the 24-year-old from Bolton in 2008.

Meanwhile, Newcastle officials have confirmed they have not received any bids for Joey Barton, Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez despite persistent speculation linking the trio with a possible exit from St James’ Park.

n After being released by Newcastle yesterday, 21-year-old defender Ben Tozer has signed a permanent deal with Northampton Town.