Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Joe Kinnear is trying to put the furore caused by his Newcastle appointment behind him by chasing Alan Pardew’s top two transfer targets - Darren Bent and James Tomkins.

Pardew gave Kinnear the names of Aston Villa striker Bent and West Ham defender Tomkins when they spoke on the phone last week, before he went on holiday.

The Toon’s controversial new director of football discussed the club’s transfer targets with chief scout Graham Carr at the beginning of the week and is keen to make progress.

Kinnear wants to draw a line under the row sparked by his appointment by getting on with the job owner Mike Ashley brought him in to do.

The 66-year-old has so far been conducting most of his business via the phone, away from the St James’ Park, but hopes to move into his new office next week.

(Image: Stu Forster)

Pardew wants a striker and a centre-back and feels former England starter Bent could be a useful addition up front.

Bent has been told he can leave Villa, but the Magpies must try to put together a package to tempt the former Sunderland star back to the North-East.

Kinnear has already flexed his muscles at Newcastle by blocking Pardew’s interest in FC Twente defender Douglas, who was available on a free.

But the former Toon boss understands Pardew’s desire to sign players proven in the Premier League, and is backing him regarding Tomkins.

(Image: Chris Brunskill)

West Ham are believed to value Tomkins at £5million though, which may stretch Newcastle’s transfer budget with a striker the priority.

Signing a centre-back would pave the way for the departure of Mike Williamson, who is wanted by his former Watford boss Malky Mackay at Premier League new boys Cardiff.

Williamson was sidelined last season and Ashley has told Kinnear to move on any fringe players not important to the squad.

While Williamson is open to the idea of being reunited with Mackay, Newcastle will not let him go unless they bring in another defender to maintain their complement of four centre-backs.

Kinnear is also overseeing the Toon's contract negotiations, and the club have made contact with Hatem Ben Arfa’s camp to open talks over a new deal for the French ace.

Newcastle have already handed new deals to youth-team trio Michael Richardson, Conor Newton and Paul Dummett.