Simpson talks up Cleverley

Cleverley: Interests Newcastle

Danny Simpson has urged Newcastle manager Chris Hughton to sign fellow Manchester United youngster Tom Cleverley in the summer.

Cleverley, who is currently on loan at Watford, is out of contract at the end of the season with United yet to offer him a new deal.

Simpson is close friends with the 20-year-old having come through the ranks at Old Trafford together and, with the defender pushing to make his loan switch to Newcastle permanent, he is hoping his mate will soon join him.

Cleverley has set the Championship alight this term, scoring six goals in 15 games, and although thought to be high on Hughton's wish list is still highly rated at the Theatre of Dreams.

"He would be a great signing and it would be great to see him here," Simpson told The Chronicle.

"He's a very good player - he's come on a lot in the last couple of years. He's scored a lot of goals this year as well - he's got six already.

"He obviously would be a good addition to the squad."

Simpson will come up against his United colleague on Saturday when Watford travel to St James' Park and he admits that the two have already begun the banter.

"I told him I was going to snap him," he joked. "I spoke to him and he said 'are you ready?' and I said 'are you?'.

"Joking aside he will be a tough opponent."