Newcastle United are believed to have held positive talks with both Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie about contract extensions.
Shelvey has already declared publicly he is playing for a new deal and is happy in the North East while Ritchie's current arrangement enters its final 12 months in the summer after proving to be an excellent signing from AFC Bournemouth back in 2016.
Ritchie has spent half of this season on the sidelines due an ankle injury picked up against Leicester City in the League Cup.
But at 30 he is looking for security following a happy stint at the club in recent years.
Ritchie was one of the cornerstones in the Sky Bet Championship winning team in 2017 and has been a key man in the last two Premier League campaigns.
It is thought that deals "in principle" have been agreed for both players.
Shelvey said earlier this season: "At the end of the day, I’m playing for a new contract now.
"I want to stay here, and hopefully a contract will be sorted.
"The kids love it up here – they’ve got their friends here."
Earlier this season Martin Dubravka signed a long-term deal while youngsters Kell Watts, Elliot Anderson and Joe White put pen to paper on fresh contracts.
