Newcastle boss Kinnear confirms interest in Barry Ferguson

NEWCASTLE boss Joe Kinnear has confirmed Scotland and Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson is one of the men on his transfer window wishlist.

The Magpies have made an inquiry about the 30-year-old, who underwent ankle surgery last year, as Kinnear attempts to bolster his depleted squad for a Barclays Premier League survival fight.

Kinnear, who admits he may have to sell before he can buy, said: "I have enquired about Ferguson, but we will wait and see what the outcome of that is.

"We are finding it difficult to bring certain players from clubs. Our bids haven't been accepted so far.

"The problem is two or three clubs are in for the same players. At the moment, there could be teams bidding more than us.

"It would help if I could move some of the players here and get the finances in that way. But we have had no bids for them."

Newcastle have also been linked with Ferguson's team-mate at Ibrox, Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra.

Kinnear admitted yesterday he is targeting at least five additions this month, perhaps some of them on loan, to cover the deficiencies of a squad which prepared for today's FA Cup third-round trip to Hull with 10 injuries, six of them long-term.

However, he did so having to fend off reports that unsettled goalkeeper Shay Given may be sold after growing frustrated with the club's plight following more than 11 years on Tyneside.

In addition, skipper Michael Owen has insisted he will not make a decision on his future until the end of the season, while Nicky Butt, Shola Ameobi and Steve Harper are still haggling over terms.

Kinnear said: "The January transfer window is hardly ideal.

"We have a lot of players missing at the moment who are out for six weeks or more.

"That means it's tough. If we pick up more injuries, we are in trouble for West Ham next week.

"We really need to get some bodies in. We need versatile players in who can play in a number of positions.

"We have got injuries all over the pitch. But we have to grin and bare it."

A Rangers spokesperson today claimed the club had received no enquiry at all from Newcastle about Ferguson.