Newcastle set to swoop for Boro's Viduka

[BAGGIO 15]

Newcastle are aiming to lure Australian striker Mark Viduka away from near neighbours Middlesbrough as the transfer deadline approaches.


The Magpies are trying to persuade Boro to part with the 30-year-old following the loan signing of Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi.


It is understood the Teessiders rejected an approach from their derby rivals yesterday, but that chairman Freddy Shepherd was ready to go back to opposite number Steve Gibson.

Manager Glenn Roeder has already spent £10million on Obafemi Martins and beaten several clubs - including derby rivals Sunderland - to Rossi's capture.

However, with Michael Owen out long term and Shola Ameobi struggling with a persistent hip problem, Newcastle are desperate to add firepower to their squad.

Viduka enjoyed an excellent second season at the Riverside Stadium and was perhaps the single most important factor in the club's unlikely progression to the UEFA Cup final.

But with new boss Gareth Southgate having allowed Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to leave for Charlton, Viduka remains a key part of his plans.

He lined up alongside £7.5million signing Aiyegbeni Yakubu for the 4-0 home defeat by Portsmouth on Monday evening with only Massimo Maccarone - currently being linked with a move to Fulham - and the injury-plagued Malcolm Christie in reserve.

Youngster Danny Graham has returned from a loan spell at Blackpool, although Viduka's departure was not something Southgate envisaged as he embarked upon the new campaign.

He made a major transfer breakthrough of his own yesterday when he landed defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Robert Huth - also a target for Newcastle - and Jason Euell was expected back on Teesside today to wrap up his move from Charlton.

However, the former Boro skipper could find himself fending off interest from rivals during the remaining hours of the transfer window with Tottenham still interested in England winger Stewart Downing.

[The one and only]

if they end up getting him that will be a lot of strikers in the squad

considering that they just got rossi on loan frm man u aswell as martins