Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy is closing in on a new lucrative contract after bouncing back from his Champions League debacle.
The 23-year-old Welshman is expected to complete negotiations, which have been ongoing for several months, on an improved long-term deal within the next few weeks.
United were not commenting officially today on reports that Bellamy has already agreed terms and put pen to paper, but were privately insisting that there is still a little way to go before their discussions with the player are finalised.
The claims came just a day after chairman Freddy Shepherd revealed that contract talks with the former Coventry frontman would resume in the New Year following their suspension last week.
Newcastle were furious with Bellamy's conduct in the 4-1 Champions League defeat by Inter Milan, during which he was sent off after just five minutes.
A meeting between the Wales international, his advisors and the club scheduled for the following day was cancelled with officials insisting that the time was not right for such negotiations.
But his response on the field during the 2-1 Premiership win over Everton was just what manager Sir Bobby Robson was looking for.
"We all know that Geordies are fair-minded people and this proved to be the case on Sunday," said Shepherd yesterday. "I said before the game that I was rooting for Craig and it was clear that everyone else was too.
"Our view was that Craig had paid a very high price both financially and personally for what happened against Inter Milan, and that enough was enough.
"Now we feel that Craig has turned the corner and everything is fine. I'm sure that these contract talks will resume in the near future."
Some supporters had grown weary with Bellamy's indiscipline following his three-match ban for head-butting Dynamo Kiev's Tiberiu Ghioane and his dismissal against Inter, and a section even suggested that he should be sold as a punishment.
However, while acknowledging that the player must rein himself in if he is not to earn a reputation, Robson and Shepherd both know he has made a massive contribution to the club's rise since his £6.5million arrival from Coventry.
Having already secured the long-term futures of players such as Kieron Dyer - who, like the Welshman, has been linked with Premiership rivals Manchester United - Shay Given and Aaron Hughes, Newcastle are now keen to tie up Bellamy.
Although his injury problems and his temperament are considerations, his value to the club is now far in excess of what they paid for him in July last year.
PA