Marlon Harewood loss no problem, says Peter Lovenkrands

Oct 15 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

In Michael Owen, Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins, United lost a trio of strikers with international pedigrees in the summer, only receiving a fee for the latter. But now Harewood and Løvenkrands have been added, Newcastle have a battery of forwards who appear well equipped for Championship football.

“We have players who might not look out of place in the division above,” said former Rangers forward Løvenkrands, who was released by Newcastle in the summer, only to be taken back on deadline day last month.

“Andy Carroll is playing very well, you would never know he has not been around for that long with the way he’s playing. Nile Ranger is another good player who has settled in very well.

“Shola is another one who people should not forget about. He is injured (missing until December with a stress fracture of the foot) but he will come back and do well.

“I am also keen to play as many games up front as I can and we have done well to get Marlon on loan.

“Marlon will be a big asset for us. He has already shown that and he has already shown what he can do.

“He is a great player and I think his experience and strength will be a big benefit. I liked playing alongside him, he is a good partner to have in that position.”

Ranger, who has made the transition from promising talent in the club’s junior sides to first-team footballer this season, was the hardest hit of the Newcastle players laid low by a virus during the international break, but manager Chris Hughton expects to have the Londoner available to face Nottingham Forest.

Hughton’s concerns are not limited to the front end of the team, with Steven Taylor doubtful with a hamstring injury and central defensive partner Fabricio Coloccini hoping to recover from the groin problem which kept him out of Argentina’s crucial World Cup qualifiers.

Jonás Gutiérrez was expected to feature for the Albicelestes in Uruguay last night, and Hughton will be hoping he and Zurab Khizanishvili, who started for Georgia in their defeat in Bulgaria last night, report back to Tyneside in good condition.