Newcastle United open James Tomkins talks?

Newcastle United are understood to have opened talks with West Ham United defender James Tomkins over a January move.

The Magpies have begun their search for a new centre-back following captain Fabricio Coloccini's recent announcement that he wants to leave the club.

Discussions with the 23-year-old have now started and are expected to continue into next week, according to talkSPORT.

Tomkins signed his first professional contract with West Ham in 2008 after a nine-year spell in the club's youth academy.