Peter would Lov to prove he's a frontman
GREAT Dane Peter Lovenkrands hopes his goalscoring return will convince Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton to give him a run in the first team as a striker.
Lovenkrands starred for the Magpies' second string last night, bagging the second goal in a 3-2 win over Hartlepool United at St James's Park.
Hughton watched the match from the Milburn Stand, and Lovenkrands hopes he has done enough to push for a place in the starting line-up against Preston on Monday.
The 29-year-old has struggled for form since returning to the club on transfer deadline day, and has often been used on the left wing rather than through the middle, where there is so much competition from the likes of Andy Carroll, Marlon Harewood, Nile Ranger and Shola Ameobi.
In his first spell at the club last season, Lovenkrands was employed mainly as a centre-forward, and bagged goals against West Brom, Manchester United and Middlesbrough in United's unsuccessful fight against relegation.
And he admitted: "That's my favourite position, up front or just behind the main striker.
"I just want a similar sort of chance to the one when I first arrived at the club.
"Then I played for six months and played up front, and did well. I want to get back to that.
"This season, I have had just one game up there and the rest has been elsewhere. Hopefully last night can help me push for that.
"I hope to get a start soon. I've played up front there for 80 minutes, and it's great to get a chance.
"That hopefully shows I'm ready for the first team if I get my chance.
"If Chris wanted me to play left wing, left-back or even goalie I will play anywhere for the club – as long as I play – but hopefully I'll get my chance up front.
"There's so many games to go, and you need bodies. Anything can happen, so I just need to try to stay fit and be ready to play when the chance comes."
Lovenkrands missed the Magpies' last road trip to Sheffield United through family troubles when Newcastle triumphed 1-0, but was back on the scene for the 3-1 win over Peterborough as substitute.
He added: "It's great to get a run-out, because I need match fitness.
"I missed Sheffield United because of family problems, but it's great to be playing again. To get a goal is also great for confidence."
"They (the family problems) are not totally behind me, but hopefully we'll see an ending to it soon. It is still there, but I need to try to work with it."
Lovenkrands also believes he can offer United something different in attack too, with his pace a sharp contrast to the more direct styles of the other forwards at the club.
He said: "They are all big boys, but my game is about speed and picking things up off the floor.
"It's a different way to go, and something that I hope to get the chance to show can work."
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Weather for South Shields
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
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Wind direction: South
