Newcastle United have reportedly made contact with Manchester United about the availability of both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones in the remaining days of the summer transfer window, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Indeed, both players have different qualities that they could potentially offer and would provide some perhaps much-needed cover for Steve Bruce's team at the heart of the defence going into the rest of the 2020/21 term.

Smalling played in 37 in all competitions while on loan at Italian club AS Roma from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side in the 2019/20 season, scoring three goals and making two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

His displays while out on loan in the Serie A were so impressive that Gazzetta dello Sport (via Planet Football) described him as “an absolute totem of the defence”.

The 30-year old also has a vast amount of experience playing in the Premier League for both Fulham and indeed at Old Trafford. The central defender has racked up 219 games in 11 seasons in the English top flight so far (via Transfermarkt).

Smalling also has a winning mentality given that he has won two EPL titles and several other domestic trophies with the Red Devils (per Transfermarkt), and so he could be a good influence in the dressing room in the North East.

Jones also offers a wealth of experience in England's highest division, having made 200 appearances initially for Blackburn Rovers and of course MUFC over the last 11 consecutive campaigns, according to Transfermarkt.

He was also part of the squad that won the Premier League title back in 2013 in Sir Alex Ferguson’s last term in charge, with several other trophies to his name, as per the website.

Both players may well provide some decent cover for the Tyneside club should some of their own centre-backs get injured or suspended.

Geordies, would Jones or Smalling be good signings? Comment below!