Danny Simpson has moved to Newcastle United permanently, for an undisclosed transfer fee, following a successful loan spell on Tyneside.

The Salford-born right-back made eight first-team appearances after graduating from the academy, his senior debut coming in the 2007/08 Carling Cup tie against Coventry City.

Simpson also played on loan for Royal Antwerp, Blackburn Rovers and his new employers' arch-rivals Sunderland during his Old Trafford career. He joined Newcastle at the beginning of the current season, and has now signed a three-and-a-half year contract.

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton, himself a former full-back, said: "We're delighted to complete a permanent deal for Danny.

"He's a player who has been with us since the summer and has played a key role during the first half of the season.

"Danny is a very popular lad in the dressing room and he took no time at all to settle in. He was always a player we wanted to keep at the club and he was very keen to stay given how much he's enjoyed being here."

Manchester United defender John O’Shea’s season looks to be over.

O'Shea has suffered complications to the leg injury he sustained playing for the Republic of Ireland in France two months ago.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: “He’s got a terrible injury at the moment.

“The problem is that the blood clot became all knotted and when it gets knotted you get calcification, so therefore it’s a long process.“He’s probably out for the season now,” added the United boss. “It’s a bad blow for the boy and for the team because he can play anywhere.”