Kinnear moves in for Riise

9:19am Friday 28th November 2008

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NEWCASTLE have made a formal approach to Roma regarding full-back John Arne Riise, but interim manager Joe Kinnear admits he has all but given up on his pursuit of Arsenal duo Alexandre Song and Johan Djourou.

Former Liverpool left-back Riise tops the Magpies’ wanted list for the January transfer window, with Kinnear hoping to arrange a seasonlong loan with a view to a permanent transfer.

Newcastle officials have spoken to their Roma counterparts, and are waiting to learn whether a loan deal is likely at the turn of the year.

Riise has struggled to hold down a place but made a fourminute substitute appearance in Tuesday’s Champions League win at Cluj.

Song and Djourou were also involved in Champions League action this week, and with Arsenal having nine senior players sidelined, Kinnear has accepted that the Gunners are unlikely to be off-loading players in January.

He had been lining up possible loan moves for midfielder Song and defender Djourou.

“I was looking at both Alexandre Song and Johan Djourou,” confirmed Kinnear.

“However, I notice both played for Arsenal against Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday night, so I know I was wasting my time thinking about these two on loan.

“We have been in touch with Roma to see what kind of package they are looking at for Riise. We are waiting to hear back from them.”

Meanwhile, Kinnear is expected to name Steven Taylor among his substitutes for tomorrow’s Tees-Tyne derby at Middlesbrough after the central defender returned to training yesterday.

Taylor, who has finally shaken off a long-standing stomach problem, is expected to accompany the fit-again Mark Viduka on the bench.