Newcastle are after Kightly

Newcastle have launched a pre-transfer window enquiry for Wolves winger Michael Kightly – as Everton boss David Moyes made a personal check on Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

Sources on Tyneside say the Magpies have tentatively put the feelers out for Kightly to the Molineux top brass and are awaiting an answer.

Moyes, who is without three injured strikers, was at Blackpool last night to see Ebanks-Blake score a penalty and set Matt Jarvis for Wolves' second in the 2-2 draw.

The Everton chief was a regular at Molineux last season. But like any enquiry or bid coming Wolves' way when the window opens in two days' time, any interest will be met with a firm rejection with the promotion bid in full flow.

Kightly, who lost his ever-present record when he was suspended last night, signed a new four-year contract in June.

That was seen as a statement of intent by player and club to ward off speculation in the summer linking him with Everton, Middlesbrough, West Ham and Blackburn.

Newcastle, where Joe Kinnear has the job for the rest of the season and funds to spend in January, have retained an interest in the 22-year-old however.

And the Geordies need a wide man after losing the versatile James Milner for £12m to Villa in the last window.

Kightly only recently clarified his position in declaring himself happy at Molineux after being linked with a £5m move to Bolton.

He said at the time: "It's nice to be linked with Premier League clubs because it means I'm doing something right.

"But I'm focused on Wolves. I've said from Day One I'm happy here, I love the club and I love playing for the club.

"The boys are tremendous – unbelievable, and I don't think you'd get that anywhere else.

"So there's no reason for me to look for a move because I'm happy here and hopefully I can get to the Premier League with Wolves."

By TIM NASH