Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has attempted to ease his forward crisis by signing Shefki Kuqi until the end of the season.
The Magpies sold leading goalscorer Andy Carroll to Liverpool on transfer deadline day and were then dealt a major blow when Shola Ameobi suffered a fractured cheekbone, leaving Pardew with only Leon Best, Nile Ranger and Peter Lovenkrands to call upon.
And he has acted quickly to strengthen those numbers by signing 34-year-old Kuqi, who was a free agent after agreeing to terminate his contract with Championship side Swansea City last month.
The Magpies boss told the club’s official website: “We needed another option up-front, because we're a little light there due to the temporary loss of Shola, and Shefki will provide us with something different.
“He's match fit and knows the English game well having been in the country for the best part of ten years. He is ready straight away and that's what we wanted.
“Shefki is a good, honest pro who will give us a strong physical presence from the bench.”
Meanwhile, the representative of free-agent striker Ewerthon claims the former Borussia Dortmund and Espanyol man rejected a move to St James’ Park.
Barry McIntosh told skysports.com: “There has been an offer from Newcastle. However, the player is still considering his options – that is all we can say at the moment.”