Newcastle United chiefs are still believed to be open about hosting England for their final Euro 2020 warm-up game against Romania.
Reports this week have suggested that there are concerns about the state of the pitch for the game on June 7 due to United staging rugby league's Magic Weekend a fortnight earlier.
But this would not be an issue for United's excellent ground staff team and they have dealt with similar situations very well in the past.
Indeed, only this year the Magpies hosted England's rugby union clash with Italy before the World Cup in Japan on September 6.
Back then the pitch was in immaculate condition for the Premier League game with Brighton just 15 days later.
Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium have already been ruled out due to busy schedules at both grounds while Liverpool took the decision to turn the game down after refusing to accommodate Sun journalists.
A report in the Daily Mail also said Goodison Park was out of contention due to dated facilities.
A final decision on where the game takes place is expected in February.
Were St James' to get the nod it would be the first Three Lions game since a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan on Tyneside in 2005 when 49,046 roared on goals from Steven Gerrard and David Beckham.
For Romania it would be a return to the venue where they faced France and Bulgaria at Euro 96 when Gheorghe Hagi graced the hallowed turf.
