Lovenkrands and GoldenBalls Aren't Dead: Newcastle Gamble on Free Danish Forward

The return of David Beckham to a chilly but glorious Indian summer in Milan proves nobody's career is dead until they blow the final whistle themselves.

Not even in the squad at Schalke 04, ex-Rangers star, Peter Lovenkrands, was recently released by the Bundesliga giants; only to be offered a lifeline by the troubled Tyneside club this week.

The Toon Army sighed, both in despair and relief. Not the signing they wanted, but at least somebody with proven pedigree. The Newcastle squad is still limping from a hex of injuries that sees a whole side in the treatment room.

Recent defeats to Liverpool, Hull, and Blackburn have seen fans turn on manager Joe Kinnear for the first time in his shock return to management. This was compounded when he was offered a further contract of two years during a dismal run of two draws and four losses.

Toon fans blame his failure to make good on promises of new arrivals in the transfer window—now two weeks old—for the thread-bare squad. The team now stares nervously at the two points keeping them from a relegation spot. With an ominous month of fixtures ahead, the fans have grounds for dissent.

Many therefore question why Kinnear’s first signing is from the bargain basement, justifiably speculating why the pacy Dane was so out of favour with the German outfit. It could've been that the winger-striker and the manager were simply ill-suited to each others' plans. Or maybe he was simply homesick for the battered Mars Bars and single malt of his glory days in Glasgow.

Whatever the reason, this could be a coup for Kinnear. Lovenkrands is still only 28. The fact that a German Champions League team signed him proves he has talent.

Furthermore,  the Scandinavian has bags of experience with dozens of Champions League Games under his belt, on top of his 20 international caps.

There should also be no culture shock that previous visitors have experienced, such as Ruud "Not so sexy football" Gullit and Albert  “Where am I?” Luque. Glasgow and Newcastle are twin cities in many ways with a strong industrial heritage and fans of a mutual mindset.

Lovenkrands has apparently already settled in well. He told nufcTV that he is loving life in the North East, and is relishing the chance to impress the Geordie nation.

"The past couple of weeks has been a tremendous experience and the boys have been so easy to connect with.

"I've settled straight in and the banter with the boys has been great, and of course it helps that I speak English, albeit with a Glaswegian accent!"

Newcastle fans will also gain comfort that is also full of confidence and a desire to succeed: "I've got a great opportunity to impress and hopefully win a contract beyond then," added the speedy forward.

It's still is a gamble for Ashley, Wise and Kinnear. More often than not, comebacks fail. Take ex-NUFC star, Laurent Robert, last season with Derby, for instance. Or the mercurial Patrick Kluivert, who showed flashes of genius at St. James' but ultimately fizzled.

Nonetheless, there are notable success stories to inspire Lovenkrands. The groans parallel the arrival of another out-of-form midfielder-striker, Antoine Sibierski, under Glenn Roeder in 2006.

Sibierski was a proven goalscorer in France, but failed to shine in his spell at Manchester City. Derided when signed as "cover" for the injured Michael Owen, he surprised everyone by spearheading an amazing UEFA Cup run, becoming a firm favourite in his time at the club.

It all depends whether Joe Kinnear can reboot the player’s Champions League potential that cost Rangers £11million back in 2000. Tactics can be readily learnt at UEFA Coaching Schools on whiteboards, but it is still man-management where the real talent lies. Cantona reached legendary status under Alex Ferguson, and we were all blessed to see the magic of Kanu reborn under Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth.

This is no better demonstrated than by Newcastle's own Roy of the Rovers, Alan Shearer. Dopped to the bench under Gullit, a few days with new manager, Bobby Robson, and he scored five goals—in one game.

Nobody is expecting that from Lovenkrands. Yet if he plays to his maximum potential, he could go down in Geordie history as the player who saved the Toon from relegation. Nothing could be more enticing.

Next up, Beckham.