FRASER FORSTER is on his way back to Newcastle United – for pre-season training, at least.
Celtic expected the giant goalkeeper to give his answer on the four-year contract they have offered him by last night.
But, with no news on that front, and Forster's second loan spell at Parkhead having come to an end, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has revealed he expects the 24-year-old to report back to St James' Park next week.
The 'Toon boss admitted he is well covered in the goalkeeping department with Tim Krul having had an outstanding season, and Rob Elliot and Steve Harper as back-up.
So Pardew still anticipates that Forster – who Newcastle agreed to sell to Celtic for £2m as a condition of the terms of his second loan spell – to move on.
Southampton and West Ham have already been linked with Hexham-born Forster, but Pardew said: "At the moment he is coming back to us.
"He will be with us until he finds a club and we find a fee that works for us."
Celtic boss Neil Lennon has always been confident Forster wants to make his move to Glasgow permanent.
But personal terms have been a stumbling block throughout the protracted negotiations involving his agent, Mark Curtis, who believes he can get a better deal for his client down south.