Southend United's out-of-favour teenage striker Daniel Webb could be on his way back to First Division strugglers Brighton.
The rock bottom Seagulls have made a loan enquiry about the 19-year-old, with new Withdean Stadium manager Steve Coppell hoping to sign Webb for an initial month.
"I think it is in Daniel's best interests to move away from Roots Hall and this is a great opportunity," said Newman.
"Daniel has been trying to get himself fixed up elsewhere and has been on trial at both Peterborough and Gillingham in recent weeks.
"And a loan switch to Brighton, with the chance to prove himself in the First Division, is an excellent move for Daniel.
"He spent half of last season on loan at the Withdean Stadium and made noises about being very happy there. And now it is up to Daniel if he would like to give things another go with Brighton."
Webb, who is the son of former Shrimpers chief David, won a Second Division championship medal at the Withdean stadium last term.
Webb was expected to make a permanent £25,000 move to Brighton at the end of last season, but the transfer evaporated when ex-Blues manager Peter Taylor decided to quit.
The young gun was sent back to Roots Hall over the summer and has been frozen out of the first team picture at Southend after refusing to sign a new one-year deal.
Webb, who cost Blues £10,000 from Southampton, is on a week-to-week contract and made his first Shrimpers appearance of the season on Tuesday, scoring in the reserves' 2-1 win at Millwall. Newman also confirmed that defender Phil Whelan had turned down a loan move to Third Division rivals Cambridge United.
"I told Phil about Cambridge's interest last Friday, but he turned it down as he didn't feel it was right at this moment in time," he said.
Newman also revealed that new striker Mark Salter is cup-tied for next week's FA Cup first round match with Hartlepool United after appearing in the preliminaries with Frome Town.
Blues will also be without suspended defender Stephen Broad and forward Barrington Belgrave for the Cup tie.
Midfielder Kevin Maher and winger Steven Clark are banned for Saturday's visit to Bristol Rovers.
It will also be Ian Selley's last match before returning to Wimbledon. Fellow loan midfielder Jay Smith's deal from Aston Villa runs out after the FA Cup encounter with Hartlepool.
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Published Friday November 8, 2002
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