GLENN Roeder will step up his pursuit of Inter Milan striker Obafemi Martins this week after the Nigeria international handed in a surprise transfer request at the San Siro.

The Newcastle manager, who travelled to the Latvian capital Riga yesterday ahead of tomorrow's UEFA Cup second qualifying-round match with FK Ventspils, has refused to rule out a formal approach to long-term target Dirk Kuyt.

But, with the need for a new striker growing ever more urgent by the day, Martins has emerged as the primary alternative to the £10m-rated Dutchman.

A Magpies delegation, which included assistant manager Kevin Bond, watched Martins in action on Friday night as Inter drew 1-1 with Ajax in the Amsterdam Tournament.

Their subsequent report is understood to have been favourable, with the 21-year-old's pace and direct running having repeatedly caught the eye.

Kuyt, on the other hand, was less impressive as Feyenoord beat Middlesbrough on Sunday and, while Roeder intends to watch the Holland international again this weekend, the focus of his intention has already turned to Martins.

Crucially, the 21-year-old now seems certain to leave Inter after submitting a formal transfer request on Monday night.

The African has reacted angrily to the Italian club's recent purchase of former Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo and is desperate to secure a lucrative move before the transfer window closes on August 31.

The Nigerian's agent Patrick Bastianelli confirmed the Magpies interest along with three other clubs saying: "He has offers from Tottenham, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Valencia."

Inter are understood to value Martins at around £8.5m but, with the striker having demanded a move from Milan, the Serie A giants will be forced to reduce their asking price accordingly.

"Martins is a very good player," said Roeder, who faces a selection dilemma over Jean-Alain Boumsong and Albert Luque, both of whom would be cup-tied for future employers if they were to feature in tomorrow's first leg. "He's different - very, very quick and strong.

"I don't like talking about others clubs' players too much, but he's another one that's been mentioned, just like Kuyt has.

"I wouldn't see any reason not to continue with the possibilities that exist with both players. I know time appears to be running out, but there is still time to get the players in I want."

That means maintaining an interest in Kuyt, despite Feyenoord's refusal to lower their eight-figure asking price.

With previous targets such as Ruud van Nistelrooy, Dean Ashton, Marlon Harewood and Jermain Defoe having committed their futures elsewhere, it appears that Newcastle's striker search is boiling down to a straight choice between the youthful Martins and the more established Kuyt.

"I saw Kuyt play on Sunday and I have no reason to remove him from my list," confirmed Roeder. "We'll be studying him again at the weekend, like we will be with a couple of other strikers. We'll be watching them at the same time.

"Which one ends up at Newcastle, I wouldn't like to say at the moment. There's no certainty about any of the forwards we're looking at."

With Shola Ameobi the only centre-forward in the current Newcastle squad, Roeder's need for further attacking options is obvious.

Yet the Magpies are also hoping to strengthen in other areas ahead of the new Premiership campaign. A formal approach will be made for Wayne Bridge if Chelsea complete the signature of Ashley Cole, while unsettled Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen will now be offered a move to Tyneside after Amdy Faye yesterday completed his £1.5m switch to Charlton.

Roeder said: "At the moment, there's no further progress with Gravesen. Other managers have expressed an interest in him and David Moyes has said he would take him back to Everton if he could."

Duff is expected to make his senior Magpies debut in tomorrow night's game at Riga's Skonto Stadium.

The Republic of Ireland international will be asked to push forward to support Ameobi in the absence of an orthodox attacking partner, with team-mate Nolberto Solano insisting Newcastle's sole striker is beginning to emerge from Alan Shearer's considerable shadow.

"Shola has been excellent this summer," said Solano. "Everybody knows how much pressure he has been under because of Alan leaving the squad.

"You cannot say that Shola has the same quality as Alan because it is impossible to find somebody who is like Alan Shearer. But Shola can be his own man as long as he continues to score goals. He is going to be very important for us."

l Stephen Carr's ten-month international exile is over after the Newcastle defender was named in a 24-man Republic of Ireland squad to face Holland in a friendly at Lansdowne Road next Wednesday.

Carr retired from international football last October following the Republic's failure to qualify for the World Cup finals.

But the full-back has been tempted back by manager Stephen Staunton and is joined by Newcastle team-mates Shay Given, Damien Duff and 21-year-old midfielder Alan O'Brien, making his first appearance in the full Irish squad. Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott returns after injury.