Lovenkrands in on trial as Kinnear targets first signing

Jan 12 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

NEWCASTLE United have confirmed Joe Kinnear is close to making his first signing as Magpies manager with Denmark international Peter Lovenkrands on Tyneside this morning.

The Journal revealed Newcastle’s interest in Lovenkrands on Saturday and the former Glasgow Rangers and Schalke forward will try to win a permanent contract by impressing Kinnear in training.

The 28-year-old, who could have been a Newcastle player nine years ago before he moved to Scotland, is a free agent after the termination of his contract with Bundesliga side Schalke, and his ability to play in a variety of attacking positions has caught the attention of Kinnear. “It has materialised over the last day or so,” said United assistant manager Chris Hughton. “I think he’s out of contract so he’s coming in for us to have a look at him. I’m led to believe that it will be on a trial basis.

“Looking at him as a player and what he’s done in the past he is an experienced player and someone with pace. Whether we keep him or not depends on how he performs. He can operate on either flank or through the middle.

“You want to bring in the best quality that you can, sometimes you don’t get your first choice and you have to move on. But with Lovenkrands it is great value for us to have a look at him. We are still working behind the scenes to bring in the two or three players who we need.”

With Kinnear reacting to what he believes has been unfair treatment of the club and him in the media by refusing to speak publicly after the game, it was also left to Hughton to express his pleasure at seeing Andy Carroll score his first senior goal for the club. He said: “I am delighted for the lad. He’s a very game lad and is somebody who wants to do well and has great desire.

“I’m also happy for our supporters because there is nothing better than for fans to see a local lad come through the ranks and work his way into the first team.’’