Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane is reportedly close to joining Newcastle United on a season-long loan.

The News of the World reports that the Spurs forward, in his second spell at White Hart Lane but no longer a regular starter, is in advanced talks with the Magpies with a view to completing his latest temporary transfer before the window closes on Tuesday.

Keane spent the second half of last season on loan at Celtic after falling down the pecking order at Spurs, whom he'd rejoined following an ill-fated transfer to Liverpool.

The Republic of Ireland international wants regular first-team football and realises that he will only get limited playing time at Tottenham, despite an impressive pre-season.

Manager Harry Redknapp prefers Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko, and is reportedly on the verge of bringing in either Klaas-Jan Huntelaar or Giuseppe Rossi to boost his striking options, further marginalising Keane.

Newcastle, however, view Keane more positively and manager Chris Hughton is apparently attracted to the idea of creating a formidable strike partnership between the Irishman and local hot-shot Andy Carroll, who is currently igniting the Premier League with his early season goals.

Keane could well relish the prospect of playing in front of 50,000 passionate Geordies at St James' Park on a regular basis.