Exclusive: Newcastle in Elland Road transfer mission today

Newcastle United scouts were at Elland Road today to run checks on QPR star Ryan Manning in their Championship clash against Leeds United, Football Insider can reveal.

The 23-year-old has began the season in impressive form for the Londoners after being converted into a left-back by manager Mark Warburton.

A Newcastle source has told Football Insider the club are keeping close tabs on Manning ahead of the January window and were on their latest transfer mission to watch him in today's top-of-the-table fixture.

Manning has emerged as a target for Steve Bruce's side as they assess players who are potentially available and can be signed at a reasonable price.

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international is out of contract at Loftus Road next summer and his price tag in January would be between £2-3million.

QPR may be forced to trigger the option to extend his contract by 12 months to keep him for the second half of the campaign.

Manning has been instrumental in an impressive start to the season by Warburton's side, which had placed them at eighth in the Championship and just two points behind Leeds going into today's Elland Road showdown.

He has started all 14 of QPR's Championship matches this season at left-back - as well as both of their League Cup fixtures - after spending most of his career in midfield.

Manning has shone in his new role, scoring two goals and supplying three assists as well as topping virtually of of Rangers' different stats charts.

In other Leeds United news, it can be REVEALED that Bielsa is preparing to make a major change of heart over one Elland Road player.