Newcastle’s Gouffran ready to quit Toon in January

Gouffran has made just two Premier League appearances for the relegation-threatened club so far this season. And the forward has been linked with January moves to Bournemouth and Lille.

Gouffran – who came off the bench in last weekend’s 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace – has been trying to force his way into Steve McClaren’s plans.

But his future seemingly lies away from United, with the 29-year-old having played just 226 minutes of football so far this season.

Gouffran, however, is reluctant to look beyond Sunday’s home game against Liverpool, though he concedes there is a chance he will leave in the New Year.

Asked about speculation over his future, Gouffran said: “I’m here. I work hard.

“If I don’t play, maybe I’m going to leave in January. I don’t know.

“I need to be ready and to stay fit. I don’t know what’s happening after.”

Gouffran joined the club in January 2013 from Bordeaux, and he scored three goals in the second half of that season as the club successfully fought off the threat of relegation.

Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp has backed McClaren in the wake of speculation linking him with his job at Newcastle.

Redknapp took to Twitter to respond to a weekend report suggesting he was being lined up to succeed McClaren as the club’s head coach.

Bookmakers slashed the odds on McClaren becoming the Premier League’s next managerial casualty after the Selhurst Park defeat.

But Redknapp has given his backing to McClaren, who he briefly worked with at Queens Park Rangers.

He tweeted: “Not heard anything about Newcastle, they’ve got a great manager in Steve. I’ve worked with him, he’s excellent. I’m sure he’ll get it right.”