Wigan made a £850,000 bid for Simpson last month, but the proposed deal fell through after Newcastle demanded a fee in excess of £1m for the Salford-born player.
And looking back, the extra £250,000 or so it would have taken to sign Simpson, could haunt Wigan if they are relegated this campaign.
Alan Pardew: “Danny’s available.
“I have to say that Danny wants to show people he’s a Premier League player.
“So Danny’s in the frame, yes. He will have a role to play. He’s a paid player at this football club – he’s a professional player.
“I expect him, when I call upon him, to do his absolute best for me. I don’t doubt that he will. I have no doubts.”