Mike Williamson on verge of Wolves move

Defender Mike Williamson is believed to be on the verge of moving to Wolves on a permanent deal.

The Newcastle centre half is set to sign an 18-month contract with Wolves paying around £200,000 for the 32-year-old.

Talks have been ongoing for the best part of a month for a player who deeply impressed during a five-game loan spell earlier in the season.

Williamson's wages have proved a stumbling block, as has Newcastle's reluctance to sell while in the midst of a defensive shortage due to injuries, with Williamson himself having picked up a hamstring injury.

However with those issues ironed out, Williamson looks now to imminently become Kenny Jackett's second first-team signing of the January window after Michal Zyro.

During his five-match loan spell Wolves conceded just three goals, and kept three clean sheets.

He was recalled early by the Magpies due to an injury crisis at St James' Park, but then pulled his hamstring just days after returning north, and hasn't played since.

Last month Williamson said of his temporary Molineux move: "My time at Wolves was fantastic, it was a good opportunity and it was a very good fit.

"I was really enjoying myself, it is a great club, players are very good – a real togetherness, and I like the manager who was fantastic – to work with him and learn from him."

Wolves currently have just five senior defenders at their disposal, with Kortney Hause still not back in action after being sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Former Wycombe and Watford defender Williamson has been at Newcastle for six years, but has fallen down the pecking order since Steve McClaren took over last summer.