Exclusive: Paul Robinson claims Newcastle may be on verge of brilliant new signing

Paul Robinson has suggested that Jeff Hendrick would be a brilliant signing for Newcastle United. 

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Jason Jones, the former England goalkeeper reflected on his own time playing with the 28-year-old at Burnley, and gave a glowing endorsement of his character.

As initially revealed by Football Insider, the Magpies have held a longstanding interest in the Republic of Ireland international, who became a free agent this summer after his contract at Turf Moor expired.

In recent days, The Chronicle have reported that the Toon Army are closing in on a deal that would make Hendrick a Newcastle player ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

And Robinson believes that Steve Bruce's men would be securing a quality addition if they do land him.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: "I played with Jeff at Burnley. He’s a really good lad as well - a good, honest, hard-working midfielder.

"He gets forward, box-to-box, great engine. He will score goals, but he doesn’t mind doing the hard yards as well. Like I say, he is extremely fit.

"He would be a really good signing for Newcastle. I’m surprised that Burnley let his contract run down, whether that was his choice or the club’s I don’t know, but he’s been a very good servant for them. Sean Dyche’s recruitment is very stringent. You have to be a certain type of character to fit into what he wants.

"There’s no bad eggs, as such, in that dressing room at Burnley, and Jeff certainly isn’t one. He’ll fit in very well at Newcastle."

Hendrick is capable of playing anywhere across the midfield, and was a mainstay for Dyche's Burnley side last season, making 24 Premier League appearances.

He scored twice and assisted two more over the course of the campaign, and recorded a total of 139 outings for the Clarets during a four-year spell at the club.

In other Newcastle United news, Darren Bent has dropped a £5billion takeover claim as talks reportedly speed up.