Toon go scouting as Donny eye Alan Smith

The Newcastle United backroom staff are set to be dispersed around Europe over the next couple of weeks as the search for January reinforcements gathers pace.

On the back of that, a host of Sunday rags seem to hinting that Alan Smith could be offered a football lifeline by Doncaster Rovers in the next transfer window.

Staying with that one, Alan Pardew has said that Alan Smith will not be allowed to leave on loan, although the reports in The Star and The People seem to hint that Doncaster could explore the possibility of acquiring Smith on a free transfer in the January window. You'd have to think that the club would go for that, if only just to shift the wages off of the accounts.

However Doncaster aren't the only suitors for Smith and Orlando City are keen to get hold of the player who turns 31 this month. Orlando or Doncaster? It's a tough call although, as with all footballers, much will depend on how much each respective club is willing to pay former striker.

In terms of our striker hunt, there have been reports over the last few weeks of sightings of Graham Carr at various matches across Europe. Sometimes I think he has even managed to be at two grounds at the same time!

Anyway, Carr was at the Leverkusen game in midweek and with long term Toon target Eren Derdiyok playing for Leverkusen you'd have to think that he was once again having a look at the Swiss international striker.

The Sunday Sun understands that Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga is still on the radar after the rather amateur attempt to sign him over the summer. The Mail striker has hit a bit of form in recent weeks with two goals in his last two games. Perhaps we'll go back in for him in the winter window?

Anyway that just about wraps all the early speculation for this Sunday. If there is anymore you can be rest assured that you'll get to hear about here on NUFC Blog .

I just hope our string start to the season hasn't masked over the need for continuous strengthening!?