Boss Roy Keane has hinted that he could be interested in signing former team-mate Nicky Butt in the summer. The ex-Manchester United and England man will leave Newcastle at the end of the season after six years on Tyneside.
Asked whether he might be interested in his one-time midfield partner after Saturday's 2-2 draw with the Magpies, Keane said: "We'll see - we couldn't afford him.
"Nicky won't retire, I'm pretty sure of that. I think he can still play at a pretty high level, but whether that's the Premier League, it's up to Nicky.
"As long as you can still play like we saw here, play as long as you can. There are plenty of years for coaching.”
Keane felt Butt, 35, used the type of know-how that the Blues have missed all season to win Newcastle their penalty at St James’ Park on Saturday: "Nicky used his experience there and that's what we've lacked all season, someone like him.”
Butt himself says he’s already had offers: "Coaching is definitely something I want to do - I don't want to leave football. I've a few offers to play at other places.”
Regarding Keane’s potential interest, Butt was non-committal: "Maybe, yeah.”
A report in the North-East claims Preston North End, managed by Darren Ferguson, are already showing interest in the Gorton-born midfielder.