Ben Brereton Diaz looks set to be spared an awkward reunion with Newcastle United at the weekend after Sheffield United moved 'closer' to re-signing the Southampton forward.

Brereton Diaz felt the wrath of Newcastle players and fans alike on the opening day of the season after the Chile international dramatically went down holding his face following a clash with Fabian Schar. The Newcastle defender was sent off after lightly pressing his forehead into his opponent's.

Although Newcastle went on to take the lead, just before half-time, tensions were still running high at the break at St James' Park. Dan Burn had a few choice words for Brereton Diaz in the tunnel as the pair momentarily walked side by side before the Geordie and Jan Bednarek were separated by those around them.

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Alan Shearer called Brereton Diaz's reaction 'embarrassing' while former Newcastle boss Graeme Souness claimed the 25-year-old should have been sent off for 'cheating'. However, Russell Martin, who was in charge of Southampton at the time, suggested Newcastle players would have 'done the same', following a 'moment of madness' from Schar, and Brereton Diaz insisted he only cared what his manager and team-mates thought.

It ended up being one of only four starts Brereton Diaz made for Southampton and the forward now looks set to head back to Sheffield United, where he spent the second half of last season on loan, for another temporary spell as boss Chris Wilder confirmed.

"It's pretty close and we're pretty close to a couple of others so we're in a good place at the moment," the Sheffield United manager told reporters. "I like to think there's a reason why Ben wants to come and a reason why the other boys want to come .

"They've seen today the atmosphere at the game, they've seen the support that we've had and most importantly for them is the way we play. They're coming into a good team."

Newcastle travel to bottom of the table Southampton on Saturday as the Magpies look to get back to winning ways after their nine-game streak was ended by Bournemouth.