The Daily Mirror claims that the Toon boss has identified Warnock as the answer to his long-term problem at left back.

However, it is believed that they would have to offer at least double before new Rovers boss Paul Ince will even consider selling the former Liverpool man.

Newcastle were turning their attention to alternative targets after losing out to Benfica in the race to sign Pablo Aimar.

The Magpies were hopeful of pushing through a late deal for the Argentinian midfielder when it appeared their Portuguese rivals' bid to sign him had faltered.

However, Benfica announced last night that they had made a breakthrough, with Newcastle seemingly unable to come up with the financial package to seal the transfer.

While that will certainly have come as a disappointment, executive director (football) Dennis Wise and his team have now switched their focus.

But it appears they will not be making a move for Germany international Torsten Frings.

It is understood the club has been contacted about the 31-year-old Werder Bremen player but officials have decided not to pursue an interest in him.

That is perhaps a reflection of Newcastle's current policy of attempting to recruit talented players with time on their side, rather than vastly-experienced men approaching the end of their playing days.

In addition, their willingness in the past to pay more than competitive wages to secure big-name players is now a distant memory.

Newcastle have steadfastly refused to discuss their summer targets throughout the close season and have managed to land Argentina international winger Jonas Gutierrez and Liverpool midfielder Danny Guthrie away from the public gaze.

However, with time running down to the start of the new season - Kevin Keegan's men play their first pre-season friendly at Hartlepool on Saturday - there is still plenty of scope for strengthening.

Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage, James Troisi, Lamine Diatta and David Rozehnal have departed from a squad which Keegan believes was short on numbers last season and, although a series of young players have also been recruited since the manager's arrival, most are some way off the first-team scene.

There has also been persistent interest in striker Shola Ameobi, who has been linked with Stoke, Ipswich, West Brom and Norwich so far this summer but remains on the club's books.

Canaries boss Glenn Roeder is an admirer of the Nigeria-born frontman from his time at St James' Park, but his price-tag - around £3.5million - is too steep for him.

Roeder is instead targetting 19-year-old Andy Carroll, to whom he handed a senior debut in a 1-0 UEFA Cup victory over Palermo in Sicily in November 2006.

It is understood Norwich have failed in a £1million bid for the teenager, who is currently recovering from injury.

The Gateshead-born player, who has impressed Keegan during his most recent spell on Tyneside, has three years remaining on his contract.