Newcastle eye Liverpool striker Danny Ings in January loan deal
Rafa Benitez keen to strengthen attacking options and Ings could be available as he works his way back to full fitness following injury
NEWCASTLE are hoping to agree a loan move for Liverpool striker Danny Ings.
Rafa Benitez is keen to strengthen his attacking options at St James' Park once the transfer window opens in January.
And the Newcastle Chronicle say a move for England striker Ings is on the cards whether Mike Ashley sales the club or not.
Ings has endured a nightmare time at Anfield since making the move to Merseyside from Burnley in 2015.
The 25-year-old looked impressive in his first few games for then-boss Brendan Rodgers, only to be struck down by two serious knee ligament injuries.
He has only just recovered enough to be playing under-23 football for Liverpool, but needs more regular football to build up his match sharpness.
And that has seen Newcastle boss Benitez show an interest in the knowledge he would be getting a player who before his injuries had been a prolific goalscorer.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has not given up hope that Ings can become a regular part of his first team plans, but at the moment is unable to use him because he lacks match fitness.
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So a temporary loan move to Tyneside would be attractive to both Klopp and Benitez.
Newcastle have impressed since their promotion back to the Premier League, and look on course for consolidating the position back in the top flight.
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But Benitez is aware that there are still areas of his squad that need to be improved - and finding a regular goalscorer is one of them.
He was unable to bring in some of the players he wanted over the summer as owner Ashley maintained a tight hold on the purse strings.
But with the sportswear tycoon now hoping to conclude a sale before Christmas, Benitez is hopeful of having more money to invest on the squad in January.
Yet even if a new owner came up with a big kitty to spend, the signing of Ings appears to be something he would still push through.