da casino： Despite having already brought Ki Sung-yeung in from Swansea City on a free transfer this summer, Newcastle’s squad still looks a little light in the middle of the park.

da aviator aposta： Currently, the only central midfield options in the senior squad at St James’ Park, in addition to Ki, are Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame.

Hayden struggled for game time last season, and creatively the Magpies were overly reliant upon Shelvey’s vision and passing range throughout the last campaign.

Rafa Benitez did a great job in guiding this Newcastle side to a 10th placed finish in the Premier League last time out. If he is to repeat that trick though, or make Newcastle’s existence in the top flight a more comfortable one, then he needs some quality adding to his ranks this summer.

In order to get it, the boss might want to consider another raid on a relegated club’s squad, this time to secure the services of Joe Allen from Stoke City.

The Breakdown

The addition of Allen would improve all aspects of Newcastle’s midfield contingent. Going forward, Allen would help to alleviate some of Shelvey’s attacking workload, whilst the Welshman can also be relied upon to remain switched on defensively.

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On Allen’s part, his prospects of remaining a key figure within the Welsh international set up would be greatly improved if he were able to return to the Premier League. He is above Championship standard and deserves to be plying his trade in the top flight.

If Newcastle could tempt the 28-year-old to push for a Stoke exit then they’d be welcoming a brilliantly effective midfielder to the north east.