Newcastle United, Derby County linked to Rangers midfielder

Championship sides Newcastle United and Derby County are reportedly preparing January bids for Rangers midfielder Josh Windass.

The 22-year-old joined the Scottish Premiership outfit on a four-year deal over the summer following an impressive season with Accrington Stanley in League Two, where he scored 17 times in 35 appearances.

According to The Scottish Sun, Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is keen to sign a new creative midfielder next month as he looks to secure promotion back to the Premier League and has identified Windass as a target.

Benitez's Derby County counterpart Steve McClaren also has his sights on Windass, however, and the pair are now expected to lodge bids with the Gers next month.

Windass - currently out with a hamstring injury - has thus far failed to recapture last season's form north of the border, with just one goal so far in 12 league games.