Newcastle are ready to renew their interest in out-of-contract Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka.

It is understood the Magpies, who failed in a bid to take the 31-year-old to St James' Park in January after courting him last summer, are preparing to offer him another option as his deal at the Riverside Stadium draws to a close.

The Australia international, in his native country ahead of their Asian Cup campaign, admitted last weekend that he is agonising over his future.

Two goals in the 3-1 final day victory over Fulham took his tally for the season to 19 and gave the Teessiders and their fans even greater cause to hope he will accept the extension which has been on the table for some time.

Chairman Steve Gibson even called him personally on Monday to urge him to stay.

But Viduka, who joined Boro in a £4.5 million move from Leeds in July 2004, is keeping his options open with Newcastle, Manchester United, Portsmouth, West Ham and Genoa among the clubs linked with him in recent weeks.

Manager Gareth Southgate is hoping for an answer within the next week or so but, as new Magpies boss Sam Allardyce prepares for talks with Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins, the former Croatia Zagreb and Celtic hitman is in his sights.

Allardyce has held initial talks with chairman Freddy Shepherd over his spending plans, and the release of five players earlier this week freed up space within the squad he inherited from Glenn Roeder.

Viduka's contractual situation means he would be available on a free transfer.