Roeder in Dublin for spying mission

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd and manager Glenn Roeder will be in Dublin tonight as they step up the search for a new striker.

The pair flew out from Newcastle to see Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt in action for Holland against the Republic of Ireland at Lansdowne Road tonight.

Kuyt has re-emerged as a major target for the Magpies as they attempt to replace retired skipper Alan Shearer and plug the gap left by Michael Owen's knee injury.

The Dutch international has been in the club's sights for some time and long before Roeder became manager.

But Kuyt's lack of form at this summer's World Cup finals did not help his cause - he has previously admitted his interest in a move to Tyneside - and with his club determined to hold out for full value for a player they rate at up to £10million, Roeder is again looking at other options.

But with the likes of Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe and Juan Pablo Angel off the shopping list and the Magpies' pursuit of Inter Milan's Obafemi Martins seemingly at an end, Kuyt is again a major target.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Roeder said: "He is not the quickest striker I have ever seen in my life, but there is no doubt he knows how to score a goal.

"He is a very, very hard-working player, and his body language on the pitch suggests he is the sort of player you would like in your dressing room. He is very committed to the team effort.

"There are lots of plusses as far as Dirk Kuyt is concerned, but I do know we are not the only club interested in him. Another club, in the top four, are very strongly interested.

"We would like to find the possibility of bringing this particular player to Newcastle, and we are working hard on that at the moment."

Newcastle have chartered their own 10-seater plane to ensure Republic players Stephen Carr and Alan O'Brien make a swift return to the north-east.

Goalkeeper Shay Given never joined up with the Irish squad and winger Damien Duff is already back on Tyneside after being forced out with back and groin injuries respectively, although both are hopeful of being fit for the weekend.

Roeder said: "Originally we had four players - Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Damien Duff and Alan O'Brien - in Dublin tonight and we made arrangements to take our own plane across and bring them home, which in the current situation seems to be the best thing to do.

"And while Shay and Damien are back at our training ground for treatment, we have gone ahead with our original plan so Stephen and Alan will be with the first team squad tomorrow."  PA