In the form of Shefki Kuqi. He wasn't good enough for Swansea in the Championship but will apparently provide cover for the remaining strikeforce following the departure of Carroll. Newcastle United are set to sign striker Shefki Kuqi. Kuqi, 34, is available outside the transfer window because he is a free agent and will be a stop-gap ahead of replacing Andy Carroll in the summer. Carroll was sold to Liverpool in January for £35m and the Magpies were further depleted when Shola Ameobi suffered a fractured cheekbone. Kuqi will join Peter Lovenkrands, Nile Ranger and Leon Best as the club's available strikers. Finland international Kuqi terminated his contract with Championship side Swansea by mutual consent at the end of January. And, although the club had also been linked with the unattached Jeremie Aliadiere, the St James's Park outfit went for Kuqi as he is much closer to match fitness and can, if needed, be called upon straight away by manager Alan Pardew. Newcastle have had to bring in a free agent as they failed to bring in a replacement for Carroll with so little time left after he joined Liverpool in a dramatic move on the final day of the January transfer window. Kuqi has plenty of experience of the English game having played at Stockport, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich, Blackburn, Crystal Palace and Swansea. He has also had loan spells at Fulham and Derby in a much-travelled career. Meanwhile, Ameobi, who was injured against Fulham, had surgery on his injury on Wednesday and could return quicker than the six weeks he was expected to have to sit out. - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/9392873.stm
