Newcastle signs Kuqi to alleviate striker shortage
Newcastle has signed Finland striker Shefki Kuqi until the end of the season in a short-term measure to alleviate its shortage of strikers.
Newcastle only has Peter Lovenkrands and the unproven Leon Best and Nile Ranger available after Shola Ameobi fractured his cheekbone against Fulham in Newcastle's first Premier League game since selling Andy Carroll to Liverpool last month.
The 34-year-old Kuqi was a free agent after his contract with League Championship side Swansea was terminated last month.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says ''he's match fit and knows the English game well having been in the country for the best part of 10 years.''
Kuqi could play against Blackburn on Saturday.