Newman to be beatified as early as 2008?

Via New Advent Blog, a report from the UK Telegraph:

The Vatican is close to attributing a miracle to Cardinal Newman that would pave the way for Britain's most famous convert to Roman Catholicism to become this country's first saint for 40 years.

Insiders in Rome believe that the Vatican will announce a decision within months, meaning that the former Anglican whose conversion shocked Victorian England could be beatified as early as next year.

...

The Vatican's Congregation for Saints normally takes years to sift such cases, but medical experts are already scrutinising evidence that a 69-year-old American was inexplicably cured of a crippling spinal condition after praying to the cardinal.

[The breakthrough came after officials in the Archdiocese of Boston concluded that a deacon from Massachusetts, had been cured of his back condition after praying for the intercession of the cardinal.]

One Vatican source said: "The approval of the miracle is expected to be the last significant hurdle. The congregation's experts are well advanced in their work, and all the signs look positive. We could even have a decision by Christmas."

An interesting observation:

.... Vatican sources pointed out as that, a young student, the Pope studied Newman and has been a devotee ever since. The cause of the 19th century priest was given priority treatment when his case was sent to Rome a year ago, partly because of the Pope's personal interest.

Rallying call(?):

It [the beatification] could also come at a significant time for Anglican traditionalists who regard Newman as one of their spiritual influences, as many are themselves considering conversion to Rome if the Church of England backs women bishops.

I wonder what the Anglican blogs have to say about this speculation, or these guys.