Glenn Roeder says it is a dream come true to have Man Utd forward Giuseppe Rossi.
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Glenn Roeder has revealed it is a dream come true to have Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi at Newcastle United.
The hotly-tipped youngster signed a surprise late deal to move to St James' Park on loan until the turn of the year, and he has come in as cover for injured England striker Michael Owen.
His growing reputation preceded him in the North East and Roeder is delighted to have nabbed the 19-year-old, dubbed Pepe, in a deal he feared would never happen.
"I heard a possibility that we could get Pepe, but I wasn't sure whether to even ring Sir Alex Ferguson as I know how highly he rates him," Roeder told Sky Sports News.
"Nevertheless I took the chance and gave him a call and he said he would give it some consideration.
"He slept on it and he must have had a good night's sleep because the next morning he said Pepe could come up to us until January 1.
"It shows how highly Alex rates him but who knows, if things go well for Pepe and Man United are doing well and Alex doesn't need him back then fingers crossed we might be able to keep him for the whole season."
The boss has also offered the Three Lions' and St James' faithful a much needed boost on hit-man Owen, after his latest surgery.
"The news is good, Dr Steadman was pleased with the work he did on his knee and Michael himself can now see the light at the end of the tunnel," Roeder added.
"It is only a little bit of light but he can see that he is on for playing, he knows that is long-term but in his own mind he is up for the long haul of working back to full fitness."
Rossi meanwhile, was persistently linked with a loan move to The Championship with West Bromwich Albion over the summer, but he always maintained his desire to earn experience in the top flight, and he is ecstatic to have teamed up with The Magpies.
"Newcastle is a great club with great players and I just can't wait to start playing," Rossi added.
"My main target was to play, and it is just great to be here with a great club and I just hope to gain as much experience as I can."
The American-born Italian is now expected to make his Newcastle debut in The Premiership game at home to Fulham on Saturday.
