By Mark Heys
August 15 2007

Bolton Wanderers defender Abdoulaye Faye is on the brink of sealing a £2 million switch to Premiership rivals Newcastle United according to a number of reports emerging from Wednesday morning's media.

The Senegal international is out of contract at the end of the season and it seems as if the Trotters have decided to cash in now rather than wait for another potential Tal Ben-Haim situation to develop.

Faye is expected to be missing from the Bolton side which takes on Fulham tonight in order to complete the transfer which will see him link up once again with former Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce.

Ironically the 29-year old started Bolton's first game of the season against the Magpies earlier this week but the signing of Andy O'Brien from Portsmouth has left a huge question mark over the future of the man they call "The Monster".

When first arriving at Bolton from Lens two seasons ago, Allardyce described Faye as a player similar to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and his judgement wasn't far wrong.

The giant African proved to be combative in the midfield and good and air and equally as adaptive in the defence where he spent most of last season alongside Abdoulaye Meite.

If he does move to the North East then i'm sure many Bolton fans will be appreciatative of the job in which he has done during his time with the club.