IRELAND STRIKER LEON Best looks set to join Blackburn Rovers after having a medical today.
The 25-year-old has been with Newcastle United since arriving from Coventry City in 2010 and despite scoring three Premier League goals in the early part of last season, fell down the pecking order after the arrival of Papiss Demba Cisse from Germany club Freiburg in January.
Best had hoped to play his way into Ireland’s Euro 2012 squad but a knee ligament injury in February saw him miss the second half of the Magpies’ campaign and he now looks to be departing Tyneside.
Rovers, who will play in the Championship after being relegated, need to replace the China-bound Yakubu and Best fits the bill.
Meanwhile, it was announced today that the Lancashire club will play Airtricity League side Cork City in a preseason friendly at Turner’s Cross on August 12.