CHRIS HUGHTON last night paid tribute to Peter Lovenkrands after the striker’s hat-trick fired Newcastle United into the fourth round of the FA Cup, but the Magpies manager also admitted the Dane’s goalscoring exploits had not reduced his determination to sign another striker this month.

Lovenkrands became the third Magpies player to score a hat-trick this season as he netted with his left foot, right foot and head to secure a 3-0 replay win over Plymouth Argyle.

Newcastle will face West Brom in the fourth round on Saturday, January 23, and by the time he takes his side to the Hawthorns, Hughton hopes to have added an attacker to the ranks.

Leeds United’s Jermaine Beckford remains his preferred option, but having failed with a bid of £1.5m last week, the United boss is prepared to look elsewhere in an attempt to bolster his forward ranks.

Lovenkrands is one of four strikers currently on Newcastle’s books – Andy Carroll, Shola Ameobi and Nile Ranger are also available – and while the Dane underlined his ability with an accomplished display last night, Hughton remains keen to use the transfer window to his advantage.

“It hasn’t changed my thinking (in terms of transfers),”

said the Newcastle boss, who is understood to have an interest in Bolton defender Dan Shittu as he looks to add a centre-half as well as a centre forward this month.

“I’ve always been very aware of what Peter can do.

“I’ve always said that he gives us something different up front compared to Andy, Shola or Nile. He’s a different type of striker, and that was the reason we brought him in.

“He prefers to play up front.

When I brought him in, I knew he was a player who could play in one of three positions, either up front or on either flank. He’s done that on numerous occasions elsewhere, and also did it here last season.

“But up front is undoubtedly the position he prefers.”

Lovenkrands’ hat-trick settled a one-sided encounter that saw a strong Newcastle side dispose of Plymouth with the minimum of fuss.

With the Magpies not due to return to league action until Monday night, when they face West Brom in a Championship encounter, Hughton made six changes from the shadow side that lined up at Home Park, with the likes of Steven Taylor, Jose Enrique and Kevin Nolan returning to the starting line-up after a lengthy lay-off.

“The first objective was to win the game,” he said. “If it was possible to do that with a good performance, then even better still. And then it would be even better still if we were able to do that and come through unscathed.

“Thankfully, we managed to do all three of those things.

“We felt the timing of the game was good for us. We had a game called off on Saturday, so it was important to get back into some sort of a rhythm and come through okay.”

As a result of last night’s victory, Newcastle will face West Brom twice in five days, and while Hughton will be prioritising the league clash ahead of the FA Cup encounter, he admits the next fortnight will go a long way towards defining the second half of the season.

“It’s going to be a big week for both clubs,” he said. “It will give us both a fair indication of where we are at the moment.

“Our priority at the moment is the first game here at St James’, and it will give us a massive boost if we’re able to win that game.”