Newcastle United's James Tavernier Joins MK Dons On Loan

Newcastle United defender James Tavernier has joined parent club team-mate Alan Smith by leaving the club on loan for MK Dons until the end of the season. Tavernier, who can play across the back four, but who is probably best suited to a full-back position, is highly regarded at Newcastle, with Alan Pardew coming out only last week to praise the player who has not played in the league for the club, with his only appearances coming in the League Cup. He has previously been on loan at Gateshead, Carlisle and Sheffield Wednesday, and joins an MK Dons team currently sitting in 5th in League One, looking to cement their challenge on the play-off places, starting tonight against promotion favourites Sheffield Wednesday. Newcastle meanwhile remain in the market to strengthen their defensive depth, with a bid still on the table for Wigan's Adrian Mariappa. Both the addition of Alan Smith and of Tavernier will certainly add a little more defensive steel, after the club lost Adam Smith, who returned to parent club Tottenham earlier in the window, only to join Leeds on loan today.