FANS’ player of the season Kieran Trippier could be a target for Newcastle United this summer.

The promising right back is being monitored by Alan Pardew while the Magpies await a decision on Danny Simpson’s new contract offer.

With top scorer Jay Rodriguez already on the wanted list of a number of Premier League clubs, there are fears the Clarets are facing another period of disruption.

Burnley manager Eddie Howe has reiterated his intention to do all he can to keep his squad together to build for next season, but admits it will be his “biggest battle”.

“What we’d love to do is add players the other way and not lose anybody,” said the 34-year-old.

“Realistically we know that’s going to be quite difficult.

“We need to try to limit who we lose.

“But we’ll have to wait and see.

“A lot of that will be out of our hands really, and it will be a case of making sure we sign the right players to compliment what we have going forward.

“I think it’s going to be our biggest battle to try to keep the squad together.”

It is understood Trippier has been on Newcastle’s radar for 18 months, initially when he was on loan at Barnsley but still on Manchester City’s books.

Howe moved quickly to bring in the England Under 21 international on loan following Tyrone Mears’ departure for Bolton two weeks before the season began, and smartly sacrificed the budget for January transfer to tie Trippier to a three-and-a-half year permanent deal.

But Pardew has continued to follow the right back’s progress, and was on a scouting mission at Middlesbrough in January when Trippier completed a 2-0 win.

A number of factors will affect whether Newcastle will act on their interest.

Should Simpson continue to stall over signing the new deal it is likely Newcastle will look to cash in on the former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers defender, who has a year remaining on his current contract.

In that scenario, Pardew is expected to target two new right backs, with one capable of playing in central defence.

Should Simpson pledge his future to the club, the Magpies will only be searching for one new recruit.