Newcastle warn Simpson over contract row

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has issued a stark warning to defender Danny Simpson – ordering him to accept the club's latest contract offer or be sold.

The right-back wants better terms, but the club are refusing to budge and could cash in on him during the January window unless the situation is resolved.

Simpson has made an impressive start to the season, but Newcastle know they have a ready-made replacement on the books in Italy Under-21 defender Davide Santon who Pardew says is “ready” for action after injury troubles.

This weekend, Mancunian Simpson returns to former club Manchester United for the first time since being sold to Newcastle in January 2010 after just seven ­appearances in four years punctuated by several loan moves.

“My personal ­preference is for Danny Simpson is to sign quickly, because he has got a lot of competition in that area," said Pardew. "If we can’t reach agreement, he’ll have to move on – it’s as simple as that.

“We have got Davide Santon, who is desperate to play. It will be as dangerous for Danny as it is for us.

“He’s a player who, within 18 months, broke into team and ­established himself as a first-team player. He feels he should be rewarded with a new contract. I agree with that.

“Really, all we’re talking about is the figures and that is very, very difficult at this level.

“He wants to secure his future and contract negotiations are going on. So there is a situation there and he has not got long left on his contract.

"There are a couple of other contract situations at clubs going on and that is all part of the process of a big club like ourselves.”

Pardew also wants skipper Fabricio ­Coloccini to pen a new deal soon, so he can bed down as the club’s leader for the next “three to four years.”

The Toon boss added: “I admire him as much as a person as a player, and there are not many players I would say that about.

"I hope we get his new contract signed because he is very influential in the everything I want to do. He represents everything I like.”

Simpson is desperate to show United boss Alex Ferguson he has progressed.

“I always have something to prove to him," he said. "I’m a United fan and was there from when I was 11 until a couple of years ago. I had a good time, but I’m part of a good Newcastle team now.

“I go there looking to play well and at the back of my mind, like any player against their old club, to prove a point.

“It’s nice I can go back as part of a good team. We’re in the top four at the moment and not just going there for a day for the friends and family to watch – a lot of them are United fans anyway - we’re going there looking to get points off them and close the gap.”

On his contract row, Simpson is well aware he could be sold, with clubs including Aston Villa ­interested.

He said: “It’s not a problem. I’m happy here and Newcastle want me to stay. Contracts don’t get sorted out in a couple of days, I’m sure it will get sorted in time. I’m happy and my family are here.

“It’s a great time to be at Newcastle at the moment, the whole city is buzzing and I’m sure our form will carry on for the rest of the season.”

Simpson joins Gabriel Obertan in returning to Old Trafford in Newcastle’s second visit to Manchester in the space of eight days.

Last week's defeat to Manchester City left Pardew frustrated because “the players thought with a bit more effort, and taking our chances” they could have got a point.

“Sometimes, you have to move away to make yourself and Gabby and Danny have done that. Obertan has only had a handful of games for us but has been superb, brilliant.

“Danny, of course, has cemented his position to a degree, so it is a good time for them to go back and show that they have grown as players and as individuals.

"You can only do that with first team football and at Manchester United, with so many world class players, it is very difficult to break in.”