Kinnear identifies targets

Magpies boss eyes January swoop for unnamed duo

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 21st November 2008

joe kinnear

Kinnear: Planning ahead

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Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear has admitted to already drawing up a shortlist of transfer targets ahead of the January window.

The experienced coach is currently in charge at St James' Park on an interim basis but, with owner Mike Ashley struggling to find a suitable buyer, he looks set to remain in the hot-seat for the foreseeable future.

With that in mind, he has wasted little time in identifying those players he feels will help the Magpies' cause during the second half of the season.

Kinnear has made no secret of his belief that the squad available to him at present needs strengthening, and will ask Ashley to bankroll the pursuit of fresh faces in the New Year.

Boost

"I have already got my shortlist ready and I will be giving it to Mike," he said.

"We need two players in as soon as possible, and I have them in mind.

"One is with Roma and he is not in the team at the moment. The other is a player who has already scored against us this season.

"I know their agents and what they would be is loan deals from January until the end of the season. I already know the player in Rome would cost us £2million to bring over here.

"We need to strengthen the team and the squad, and if we can get them, they would be a big boost because both are top-class players."

Speculation has suggested that the two men Kinnear has his eye on are former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise and Arsenal midfielder Denilson.

Riise has struggled to make an impact at Roma since making a summer switch to Italy, and is currently out of favour at Stadio Olimpico, while Denilson has been in and out of Arsene Wenger's side at Emirates Stadium.

Gung-ho

Meanwhile, Kinnear has ruled out the possibility of playing Michael Owen in midfield over the coming weeks as he looks to combat a player shortage.

The England international striker was handed a role off the frontmen under former boss Kevin Keegan, but will not be asked to play out of position again under the current regime.

"People keep telling me that Kevin played Michael in midfield, but I cannot see me doing that. I have no intention of playing Michael Owen in midfield, none whatsoever," said Kinnear.

"I played all three - Shola Ameobi, Oba Martins and Michael - in the last half an hour at Fulham, and I could do it again at Chelsea tomorrow (Saturday).

"It's all a bit gung-ho, but I have never been afraid to make changes."