Campbell set to join Toon

Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell looks set to sign with Newcastle United after the 35-year-old arrived for a medical in the north-east on Tuesday.

The former England international is a free agent following his second stint with Arsenal, and is understood to have courted interest from Sunderland and Celtic.

Arsene Wenger was also reported to be keen to offer the veteran another contract, however it appears Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has won over Campbell.

The Magpies are preparing to make their return to the Premier League after just one year in the Championship.

Campbell, who is just four appearances away from becoming only the fourth footballer to play 500 Premier League games, impressed with a strong showing in defence in the latter stages of his last campaign with the Gunners.

His signing will go some way to shoring up a Newcastle defence already stretched by the absence of Steven Taylor.

Taylor suffered a shoulder injury in the Magpies' friendly win over Carlisle. The club has yet to reveal the extent of the injury, and there are fears he could be sidelined for at least six weeks.

What is known is that he will certainly miss the start of Newcastle's campaign, which begins away to Manchester United on August 16.

Campbell will be Newcastle's third signing of the summer, following Everton's Dan Gosling and Nottingham Forest's James Perch.