Magpies in for Royals defender?

Newcastle United are now being linked with the Reading defender Alex Pearce, 24.

 The defender is now out of contract having turned down a new offer from the Berkshire club and can sign for any club for free.

Pearce was part of the Reading side that was relegated from the Premier League having conceded 73 goals; this was joint worse along with Wigan Athletic. Pearce made 21 appearances for the club, 19 of them coming in the premier league.

Liverpool were thought to have a deal in place for the Scotland born Irish defender after he was photographed over the weekend with Reds' managing director Ian Ayre.

Pearce was also Royals captain when Brendan Rodgers was in charge of reading in 2009-10 season. However, it is now understood that the talks of a potential contract from the Mersey side club may have been a bit premature.

With Pardew keen to add height to his porous defence and to add threat to set pieces a deal for the 6ft 2in stopper could materialize.