STEVE McCLAREN still wants Charlie Austin to lead the Newcastle United line next season but Leicester City have turned up the heat in the race for the Queens Park Rangers man’s signature.

QPR have knocked back a £12m offer from Leicester for the 25-year-old, even though the Foxes are managerless following the decision to axe former Magpies coach Nigel Pearson.

But Leicester’s hefty offer is just the start of the club’s pursuit of Austin and they are expected to go in with improved terms over the coming days.

That is not what Newcastle were hoping for, having refused to offer QPR the £15m price-tag which has been placed on him since relegation from the Premier League in May.

McClaren, who has other attacking targets, was quick to identify Austin as the striker he wants to spearhead the team. He is ready to hand him the No 9 shirt but time is running out to get the deal done because of the interest from other clubs, including West Ham as well as Leicester.

This weekend has been described as “important” by sources close to the club in Newcastle’s recruitment drive because the head coach wants new signings on board before the pre-season schedule begins with Friday’s game at Gateshead.

The following week they will be in the United States and that would provide an ideal opportunity for any summer signings to settle in with their new team-mates. Managing director Lee Charnley is in discussions with a number of clubs.

McClaren has been reassured there is money available to invest in the squad and Newcastle have attempted to land a £15m transfer double from Marseille.

Having held earlier talks aimed at signing long-term target Florian Thauvin, respected French sports paper L’Equipe has claimed Newcastle now want his team-mate Mario Lemina too.

Gabon-born Lemina is a deep-lying centre-midfielder and at the age of 21 he has the sort of potential which chief scout Graham Carr has specialised in spotting over the years. He has represented France at Under-20 and Under-21 level and previously played for Lorient.

Four of Newcastle’s early Premier League fixtures, meanwhile, have been moved for television and the date with Southampton will now take place on Sunday, August 9 because of the Saints’ Europa League involvement.

Newcastle’s trip to Manchester United has been brought forward to 12.45pm on Saturday, August 22 for BT Sport, the same start time and channel for the home date with Arsenal on August 29.

Sky Sports has selected the trip to West Ham for the Monday night football slot on September 14 at 8pm and they will also screen Chelsea’s visit to St James’ Park on Saturday, September 26 at 5.30pm.