Source: Northern_Echo
Newcastle chasing Beckham and Keane
NEWCASTLE boss Alan Pardew is ready to launch an audacious attempt to secure January loan deals for Robbie Keane and David Beckham.[LNB] And despite yesterday's 1-0 win at Wigan having proved there is life without Andy Carroll, Pardew has also revealed the injured striker could make a surprise return in this month's Wear-Tyne derby with Sunderland.[LNB] Pardew is hoping to add an experienced attacker to the ranks this month, and the Magpies manager discussed Keane's position with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp after the two sides met at White Hart Lane last Tuesday.[LNB] Keane, who has made just two Premier League starts all season, has been told he is surplus to requirements in north London, and despite having turned down an opportunity to join Newcastle in the summer, the Republic of Ireland international is now understood to be willing to move to the North-East.[LNB] Wages could be a problem, but further talks are likely to take place soon in the hope of setting up a loan move until the end of the season.[LNB] The chances of Beckham joining Keane on Tyneside are remote, but with the former England international intending to leave LA Galaxy on a temporary basis this month, Pardew has hinted that Newcastle will be one of a number of clubs attempting to speak to the winger.[LNB] Ironically, Spurs have already signalled their interest, and sources in London claim a deal with the 35-year-old midfielder is close to being agreed.[LNB] Whether Newcastle's interest will scupper that deal remains to be seen, but after previously distancing himself from a possible move for Beckham, Pardew last night admitted an offer was possible.[LNB] David Beckham I don't know, said the Newcastle boss. He's a player that could play in this team and add something to this squad. Whether he's available to us, I'm really not aware of that yet.[LNB] He is, however, aware of Keane's availability, as well as the likelihood of David Bentley, another transfer target, leaving White Hart Lane this month.[LNB] I can't say I haven't spoken to Spurs I spoke to the people down there after we'd played against them last week, said Pardew. We talked about players and different things like that.[LNB] They want to do some movement this month and we want to do some movement as well. Whether we take some players from Spurs, though, is a question I can't answer. We are looking at doing something in the market, and I have not attempted to hide the fact that we want to add an offensive player.[LNB] The need for offensive additions would decrease slightly if Carroll was to return to the side, and while a number of weekend reports suggested the striker had been ruled out for more than a month, Pardew has claimed he could yet be available for the trip to Sunderland on January 16.[LNB] Some of the things I've seen written about Andy Carroll are not true, he said. We honestly do not know how long he is going to be out for.[LNB] He will definitely miss the West Ham game, and I would think he'll also miss the Stevenage game as well. But having spoken to the lad this weekend, he already thinks he'll be back for the Sunderland game.[LNB] We need to have a think about that, because we don't want to put him at risk. We'll have to see how things develop, but Andy being Andy, he'll want to play in that game.[LNB] His place in yesterday's game went to Shola Ameobi, and after missing a golden opportunity in the opening two minutes, the striker responded with the only goal of the game as Newcastle moved back into the top half of the table.[LNB] Shola was a big player for us, said Pardew. When he missed that early chance, I thought it would be an important moment for both Shola and the team. When you miss a big chance like that, your head can sometimes drop and your performance can go down by 10 per cent or so.[LNB] That didn't happen. He kept his head high and I thought he deserved his goal because of overall effort and performance.[LNB] Pardew also reserved special praise for Steve Harper, who returned to the team in place of Tim Krul and produced a fine early save to deny Tom Cleverley.[LNB] Tim Krul was very unlucky to miss out and I said that to him, he said. He's a great young goalkeeper with a good career in front of him. But Steve has had many seasons on the bench looking at this division, desperate to play in it. With his ability and character, he deserves this opportunity. I want him to be our goalkeeper for the second half of the season.[LNB]
